Ireland’s decision to join South Africa’s International Court of Justice (ICJ) case accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza continues to fuel a diplomatic storm that many observers believe is lasting for years.
On Monday, following Israel’s decision to close its embassy in Ireland, the new Israeli Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, attacked Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Simon Harris, accusing him of anti-Semitism. “There is a difference between criticism,” Saar said, “and anti-Semitism based on the delegitimization and dehumanization of Israel and double standards against Israel compared to other countries.” . This is how Ireland has allowed itself to behave towards Israel.”
Responding to the furor, Harris told reporters in Dublin that Ireland would not be silenced, emphasizing that Ireland had remained consistent throughout the war in its support for Israel’s “right to defend itself.” within the limits of international law.
However, “You know what I find objectionable? » Harris warned: “Killing children, I think that’s wrong. Do you know what I find objectionable? Given the scale of civilian deaths we have seen in Gaza. Do you know what I find objectionable? People are starving and humanitarian aid is not arriving. »
Support during the war
Irish politicians have widely criticized Israel’s war on Gaza, but this reflects wider sentiment in Ireland, where much of the public sees Israel’s occupation of the Palestinians as a mirror of the English occupation of Ireland. which has lasted for centuries. Even as their actions sometimes prove insufficient, Ireland and Irish politicians have sharply criticized Israel throughout its war on Gaza, reflecting a sentiment that polls show is widespread in a society that finds much in Palestinian history reflections of his own.
“People say they understand right away,” said Fatin Al Tamimi, vice-president of the Irish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC).
Al Tamimi’s own sister is currently stuck in Gaza, and even with Harris’ criticism of Israel, she still wishes her government would do more and end trade with Israel. But among the Irish audience, Al Tamimi said she always felt a kindred spirit.
“As soon as they find out that I am Palestinian, they immediately say that they understand, but I still have to explain what occupation and apartheid mean and the scale of the genocide perpetrated in Gaza,” Al Tamimi said .
Simon Harris, Irish Prime Minister, cooks here 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/kM6isKQh1a
– Abier (@abierkhatib) December 16, 2024
In November 2023, just a month after the Hamas-led attack on Israel and the start of Israel’s war on Gaza, former Irish leader Leo Varadkar called Israel’s actions “impending revenge.” A month later, Ireland, with the support of Spain, Belgium and Malta, urged other countries in the bloc to call for a ceasefire, admitting that there was “some of truth” in accusations from the South that the European Union was applying double standards. in her stance on the wars in Ukraine – where she has been clear in her condemnation of the Russian invasion and occupation – and Gaza.
However, it was not until May this year that Ireland, Spain and Norway recognized Palestinian statehood, sparking the fury of the Israeli government, which temporarily recalled its ambassador, Dana Erlich.
“Irish support for Palestine is widespread and long-standing,” Ray Murphy, a professor at the Irish Center for Human Rights at the University of Galway, told Tel Aviv Tribune. “It affects all social classes, all ages and all political allegiances. »
“I think politicians, even those known for their traditional support for Palestine, have been surprised by the strength of the feeling at the door,” Murphy said, referring to November’s Irish general election and the practice politicians knocking on homes’ doors for support.
“Palestine is an issue that deeply concerns people here. This is one of the few issues where there are no gray areas; people consider it right.
Israeli anger
Coverage of Ireland’s decision to join the South African case has been limited, even barbed, in Israeli media, left-wing Israeli lawmaker Ofer Cassif told Tel Aviv Tribune.
On Tuesday, the widely read Times of Israel published a blog post titled Why the Irish Hate Jews, in which author Lisa Liel said it was Christianity rooted in Ireland, a religion she called “inherently anti-Semitic” which had led to his opposition to Israel’s killing of more than 45,000 Palestinians in Gaza.
The same day, Israeli author Saul Sadka used social media to ironically compare and conflate years of Irish migration resulting from famine, poverty and colonization with criticism of Israel for the colonization of Palestinian lands .
Imagine being Irish and accusing others of being “colonizers”?
But it explains why Ireland, with only 2,000 Jews, has nevertheless become the main exporter of hatred towards Jews. If your brightest 50% escape every generation, for 10 generations you are left with Ireland. pic.twitter.com/N52tRqywaX
– Saul Sadka (@Saul_Sadka) December 16, 2024
The conflict with Ireland “certainly does not harm the government or support for Netanyahu,” Cassif said, “and even the media hardly talks about it.” You know, it’s the usual, ordinary exercise: every time there’s criticism from one angle or another, it’s immediately (qualified) anti-Semitism and all that bullshit,” he said. he declared.
International relations
However, while the current conflict with Israel may provide some support for Dublin, it nevertheless places Ireland, and to a lesser extent Spain, as outliers within an EU that generally supports Israel.
Germany has been a strong supporter of Israel, suppressing pro-Palestinian activism in the country. Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has repeatedly supported Israel, prompting a letter of complaint from hundreds of European officials.
“I understand that some EU countries, like Germany, have their own reasons for supporting Israel, but I am not that worried about the EU,” Murphy said.
“The EU is bound by treaties, conventions and protocols, so it’s not really a problem,” Murphy added. “What is concerning is the United States, which is the largest foreign investor in Ireland, and what that could mean for the future of those relations, particularly with the new Trump administration.”
Although the degree of direct U.S. support offered to Israel by a Trump administration is unlikely to be much different from that of its predecessor, the new president’s prior use of trade and tariffs as way to gain international political advantage is concerning, Murphy said.
Despite its relatively small population, Ireland attracts a considerable level of foreign direct investment from the United States, ranking sixth, ahead of Italy, South Korea and Mexico; countries whose population far exceeds Ireland’s 5 million inhabitants.
Will this be enough to change Ireland’s official positions if the United States increases its pressure? It will depend on how far the next US administration is prepared to go for Israel and the resolve that Ireland and its politicians demonstrate.
But many Irish people remain steadfast. And in Al Tamimi’s case, the connection is personal and concerns both sides of his identity and that of his three children born and raised in Ireland.
“They want to see Palestine,” she explained. Of course, they are Irish citizens. They could go there to visit, but it’s not the same. They are Palestinian. They want to go there and live.
No Comment: a German high school welcomes a robot teacher