Israel's Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday that it would be closing its embassy in Ireland, citing the Dublin government's "extreme anti-Israeli policies," further straining already tense relations between the two nations.
Diplomatic ties between Ireland and Israel have deteriorated following a series of actions, including Ireland's recognition of a Palestinian state and its support for an International Court of Justice case accusing Israel of "genocide" in Gaza.
Ireland has also been one of the most outspoken critics of Israel’s response to the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas, which sparked the ongoing war in Gaza.
"The decision to close Israel's embassy in Dublin was made in light of the extreme anti-Israel policies of the Irish government," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
"The actions and antisemitic rhetoric used by Ireland against Israel are rooted in the delegitimization and demonization of the Jewish state, along with double standards," Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said.
"Ireland has crossed every red line in its relations with Israel."
In November, Ireland’s Prime Minister Simon Harris said the country's authorities would detain Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he traveled to Ireland after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for him.
The ICC had issued warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant "for crimes against humanity and war crimes" committed between October 8, 2023, and May 20, 2024, in Gaza.
Saar said that Israel would focus its diplomatic efforts on strengthening ties with other countries and announced the opening of a new embassy in Moldova on Sunday.
"We will adjust Israel's diplomatic network of missions while considering, among other factors, the positions and actions of various countries toward Israel," he said.
In May, Dublin officially recognized Palestine as "a sovereign and independent state" comprising Gaza and the West Bank, and agreed to establish full diplomatic relations with it.
Spain and Norway also recognized Palestine as a state on the same day, with Slovenia following a week later, prompting retaliatory actions from Israel.
In November, Dublin accepted the appointment of a full Palestinian ambassador for the first time.
On Sunday, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris called the Israeli decision to close its embassy in Dublin "deeply regrettable."
"I utterly reject the assertion that Ireland is anti-Israel. Ireland is pro-peace, pro-human rights, and pro-international law," he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
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