President Michael D Higgins says it is “deep slander” for Israel to accuse Irish people of antisemitism over Gaza stance

President Michael D Higgins has said it is a “deep slander” and “a very serious business” to accuse Irish people of antisemitism because they oppose the actions of the Israeli Prime Minister.

Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar yesterday accused Taoiseach Simon Harris of antisemitism as Israel said it would shut its embassy in Dublin over Ireland’s policies. Ireland has opposed the Israeli government by recognising the state of Palestine and supporting South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

"There is a difference between criticism and anti-semitism based on the delegitimisation and dehumanisation of Israel and double standards towards Israel," the minister said in a statement.

President Higgins responded to the remarks at an event to accept the credentials of Ambassador of the State of Palestine Jilan Abdaljamid and Ambassador of Italy Nicola Faganello.

Speaking on the issue, the President said Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu had breached “so many bits of international law and the sovereignty of three of his neighbours".

"I think to suggest that because one criticises Prime Minister Netahyahu one is anti-semetic is such a gross defamation and slander".

Referring to Israeli Ambassador Dana Erlich, the President said when he accepted her credentials, he initially assumed the comments were due to a lack of experience, but he “later realised the comments were part of a pattern to damage Ireland."

He reiterated his condemnation of Hamas’ attack on 7 October 2023, but continued to point out that the response by Israel has resulted in the deaths of more than 45,000 people in Gaza. The President added that these breaches of international law have informed the Irish peoples’ stance, and that the Irish psyche understands the words dispossession, occupation and so on.

In Mr Sa’ar’s statement yesterday, he cited Ireland’s support for what he deemed “political” proceedings against Israel by the ICJ as well as an action as the ICJ 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 stated that Israel is making efforts to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza and minimise civilian casualties, while accusing Hamas of stealing supplies and using civilians as human shields.

A spokesperson for the Taoiseach said that he would " not be responding to personalised and false attacks and remains focused on the horrific war crimes being perpetrated in Gaza, standing up for human rights and international law, and reflecting the views of so many people across Ireland who are so concerned at the loss of innocent, civilian lives".

Mr. Harris dismissed Israel's criticism, describing the decision to close the embassy as deeply regrettable, and emphasised that Ireland would always defend human rights and uphold international law.