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President Higgins: 'Deep Slander' To Call Irish Anti-Semitic

By Gary Brennan
14 hours ago
Est. Reading: 2 minutes

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President Michael D Higgins says it's a deep slander to suggest Irish people are anti-semetic.

It follows claims by Israeli officials in the wake of the country's decision to close its embassy in Dublin.

President Higgins made his remarks at a credential ceremony for the Ambassador of the State of Palestine Jilan Abdaljamid and Ambassador of Italy Nicola Faganello.

President Higgins said that Benjamin Netanyahu has breached "so many bits of international law and the sovereignty of three of his neighbours".

He said that initially he put the comments, by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, down to a lack of experience, but later realised they were part of a pattern to damage Ireland.

He reiterated condemnation of the actions of Hamas on 7 October 2023, but said the response by Israel had resulted in the deaths of more than 45,000 people, including children, in Gaza.

All of the details of the tragic breaches of international law have informed the Irish position, the president said.

The Irish psyche understands the words: dispossession, occupation and so on, he added.

Yesterday, Mr Saar accused Taoiseach Simon Harris of anti-Semitism as he defended Israel's decision to close its embassy in Dublin over Ireland's policies.

"There is a difference between criticism and anti-Semitism based on the delegitimisation and dehumanisation of Israel and double standards towards Israel," Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said in a statement.

He cited Ireland's support for what he called "politicised" proceedings against Israeli leaders by the International Criminal Court as well as Irish support for an action at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide over its campaign in Gaza.

"Ireland's anti-Semitic Prime Minister Simon Harris said in an interview 'Ireland is not anti-Israel but Ireland is absolutely anti the starvation of children'," Mr Saar said.

He then asked: "Is Israel starving children?"

Mr Saar said Israel was working to enable humanitarian aid to reach Gaza and prevent civilian casualties while he said Hamas was looting aid and using civilians as human shields.

 

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Written by Gary Brennan

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