Israel to Close Its Embassy in Ireland; Dublin Expresses Regret

Israel's Foreign Minister has announced that the country will close its embassy in Dublin due to the 'extreme anti-Israel policies of the Irish government.' Gideon Sa'ar, announcing this decision on Sunday, referred again to Ireland's support for Palestine and its recognition, calling these actions an approach against Israel. In a statement regarding this matter, the Israeli Foreign Minister emphasized that he recalled his ambassador from Dublin after Ireland announced its recognition of Palestine. Simon Harris, the Prime Minister of Ireland, reacted by calling this decision 'deeply regrettable' and stated on the social media platform X: 'I strongly reject the claim that Ireland is anti-Israel.' He added, 'Ireland seeks a two-state solution and a peaceful and secure coexistence of Israel and Palestine and will always defend human rights and international law.' Last week, Ireland supported South Africa's complaint against Israel, accusing the country of genocide at the International Court of Justice. Michael Martin, Ireland's Foreign Minister, stated this spring that while the decision on whether genocide has occurred is up to the International Court of Justice, it must be clearly stated that Hamas's attack on October 7 of last year and what is currently happening in Gaza is 'a blatant violation of international humanitarian law on a large scale.' Relations between Ireland and Israel have been tense over the past year. This comes as Israeli forces' attacks on targets in Gaza on Sunday resulted in the deaths of at least 22 Palestinians. According to rescuers and residents, most of these individuals were killed in northern Gaza, with some dying in a school where Gaza refugees had taken shelter. They reported that at least 11 of the dead were killed in three separate Israeli airstrikes on homes in Gaza City, 9 in the cities of Beit Lahia, Beit Hanoun, and the Jabalia camp in northern Gaza, and two in a drone strike in Rafah. The Israeli army, which has been conducting military operations in these areas for over two months, stated that three homes in Gaza City belonged to militants who were planning imminent attacks. The army claimed that these attacks were conducted to reduce risk and harm to civilians, releasing a photo showing discovered weapons, including explosives and dozens of grenades. According to the Israeli army, dozens of militants have been targeted from the air and ground, and some individuals have also been detained in Beit Hanoun in the Gaza Strip. Rescue forces and residents reported that several people were killed and injured in this raid, and the army detained many men. The exact number of casualties has not yet been determined. Israeli airstrikes across various parts of the Gaza Strip have left over 60 dead. Palestinians accuse Israel of ethnic cleansing to clear northern areas to create a buffer zone. Israel denies this accusation, stating that the operations are aimed at targeting Hamas militants and preventing their rearmament. The extremist group Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the European Union. The war began on October 7, 2023, with an attack by the extremist group Hamas on Israel, which Israeli officials say left 1,200 dead, mostly civilians. More than 250 people were also taken hostage to Gaza. Following this, Israel launched extensive air, sea, and ground attacks, which according to officials in the Gaza Strip controlled by Hamas, have so far killed nearly 45,000 people, mostly civilians. Efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to achieve a ceasefire have intensified in recent weeks, but no progress has been reported so far.