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Join Telegram ChannelIsrael has announced that it will close its embassy in Ireland in the coming weeks due to the Irish government's “extreme anti-Israeli policies”.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar made the announcement on Sunday after recalling Israel's ambassador to Ireland from Dublin. Saar says the Irish government has “crossed all red lines” and cited the nation's decision to recognize a Palestinian state.
“The anti-Semitic actions and rhetoric used by Ireland against Israel are rooted in the delegitimization and demonization of the Jewish state, as well as double standards,” Saar said.
“Israel will invest its resources in developing bilateral relations with countries around the world according to priorities that also take into account the attitudes and actions of these states towards Israel,” he added.
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Israel closes its embassy in Ireland. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said the decision was “deeply regrettable” in a statement, according to the BBC. Deputy Prime Minister Micheál Martin echoed the sentiment in a longer statement.
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“I strongly believe in the importance of maintaining diplomatic lines of communication and I regret that this decision has been taken,” Mr Martin said.
“Ireland's position on the conflict in the Middle East has always been guided by the principles of international law and the obligation of all States to adhere to international humanitarian law,” he added.
Ireland's new Prime Minister Simon Harris is greeted by colleagues and family members as he leaves the Dail in Dublin. (Paul Faith/AFP via Getty Images)
The announcement comes as Israel considers further strikes against Iran this week. Israeli reports said Thursday the evolving reality in the region has prompted Israel to once again consider targeting Iran's nuclear program, which Jerusalem and its international allies view as one of the biggest emerging threats at a time of tensions between the West and countries like Russia and Iran. Iran continues to deteriorate.
The United States, under the Biden administration, along with its international partners, including the International Atomic Energy Agency, urged Israel not to strike Iranian nuclear facilities.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu makes a televised statement in Israel. (Israeli Government Press Office via AP)
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However, last month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed The IDF had struck and degraded part of Iran's nuclear program in a retaliatory strike in late October, but he warned that it was not enough to thwart Tehran's ability to develop a nuclear weapon.
Fox News' Caitlin McFall contributed to this report.