Finally fed up with the anti-Israel animus expressed by Irish President Michael Higgins, Taoiseach Simon Harris, and Foreign Minister Micheal Martin, and by virtually the entire political establishment, in December Israel recalled its ambassador to Ireland and closed its Dublin embassy. The anti-Israel attitudes in Ireland did not begin with the Gaza war, but have deep roots in the past, the indifference to Jewish suffering beginning in World War II, when Ireland remained neutral in the war against Nazi Germany and continued to maintain diplomatic relations with Hitler’s Germany, and President Eamon De Valera chose to express his condolences on the death of Adolf Hitler. Ireland extended de jure recognition to Israel as late as 1963, and then established diplomatic relations only in 1975. Prior to that, Ireland had refused to establish relations due to Israel’s alleged violations of UN Resolutions.
More on this disturbing history of Irish antisemitism and anti-Israel animus can be found here: “Ireland’s anti-Israel actions will not go unanswered – opinion,” by David Ben-Basat, Jerusalem Post, December 27, 2024:
Relations between Israel and Ireland have been marked over the years by ongoing tension, harsh criticism from Dublin, and a growing sense of alienation. This has culminated in the recent decision of Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to shutter Israel’s embassy in Ireland – a rare move that underscores a deep crisis in the diplomatic relations between the two countries.
This decision does not stand in a vacuum. It stems from Ireland’s longstanding antisemitic and anti-Israel policies, which include legislation supporting the Palestinian struggle and harsh statements against Israel by Irish politicians.
The roots of Ireland’s anti-Jewish policies can be traced back to World War II. After Hitler’s suicide, when Europe breathed a sigh of relief, Irish prime minister Éamon de Valera snuck away under cover of night to console the Nazi ambassador over Hitler’s death. De Valera also strongly objected to the death sentences imposed on Nazis during the Nuremberg Trials.
Furthermore, Palestinian terrorist organizations trained members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) in refugee camps in Lebanon. Ireland’s ideology aligns closely with the national and ideological narrative of the Palestinians. Dublin views the Palestinian struggle for “liberation” as similar to Ireland’s historical fight for independence from British rule.
This solidarity with the Palestinians has become a central driver of Ireland’s policies toward Israel, leading to the adoption of one-sided stances against the Jewish state.
Ireland sees itself as a “justice warrior” and a leader in the field of human rights. It uses this position to support the Palestinians while harshly criticizing Israel. This is evident in parliamentary resolutions, speeches on the international stage, and specific legislation targeting Israel.
In 2018, the Irish parliament advanced legislation banning the import and sale of products from Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria (West Bank). This law was seen as a precedent in Europe, aimed at pressuring Israel over what was described as the “illegal occupation.” Though the law was not implemented, due to opposition from the European Union, its advancement infuriated Jerusalem and was perceived as biased.
Ireland has also stood out as a leading supporter of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement, which seeks to economically and diplomatically isolate Israel. BDS has received public support from Irish politicians, parliamentarians, and government ministers who openly endorse its objectives.
During military operations such as Operation Protective Edge and Guardian of the Walls, Ireland was one of the first European countries to accuse Israel of war crimes. Irish parliamentarians’ accusation against Israel of operating an “apartheid regime” and calls for imposing sanctions on Israel gained wide support from within the Irish government and with the public.
Silence on Hamas’s crimes
AFTER THE Hamas-perpetrated massacre on October 7, in which over 1,000 Israeli civilians were murdered and many others kidnapped, the Irish government condemned the violence and “expressed deep concern over the escalation in the region.” Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar and Foreign Minister Micheal Martin issued statements expressing sorrow over the loss of life and calling for a halt to the violence. However, their condemnation was focused on demands for a ceasefire and humanitarian concerns in Gaza, without explicitly and directly condemning Hamas’s actions or recognizing them as acts of terror.
This stance from Ireland drew criticism from Israeli officials, who expected an unequivocal condemnation of Hamas’s atrocities….
Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar, has chosen not to endure any longer the constant Irish attacks on the State of Israel. Israel’s embassy in Dublin has been closed, but on the other hand, Ireland is proud to have the embassy of the pseudo-state of “Palestine.” Now the Irish government will be able to compare what economic and cultural benefits it derives from its embrace of the “Palestinians” as compared to what benefits it might have received had it not so antagonized the state of Israel.
crown says
Freight train of Karma coming down the rail for Ireland, as the Muslim enrichment keeps growing there. Couldn’t happen to a nicer set of sanctimonious virtue-signalling a-holes.
Sorry to say this, but it is getting pretty tiresome hearing about Irish hatred of Israel. With apologies to the decent Irish out there – and I’m sure there are some – but you see in me a growing (and justified) hatred of Ireland. What the hell did the Jews ever do to the Irish to justify their sickening attitude toward a country – Israel – trying desperately to survive surrounded by a sea of savage Muslims? Well the Irish are gonna get some of that Muslim love, good and hard. F ‘em.
dani says
well said – and thank you for supporting Israel.
MrLogical says
In spades,
Pray Hard says
Much of the UK is very antisemitic. Yeah, yeah, I know, Ireland is its own country.
Anne-Marie says
Totally agree with you!
somehistory says
I hate reading of this vile hatred by “Ireland.” as if all Irish people feel that way.
the old, putrid pm “sneaking under cover of night”….would have to sneak because there had to be, at least a few, Irish citizens who recognized the evil that was hitler and his ‘party.’
Hopefully, the Irish people who are honest, fair, and have a love of goodness, will find a way to ‘protest’ this evil being done by the pols.
crown says
Let me somewhat qualify my statements.
It is, primarily, the Irish Left – just about the loudest, most obnoxious, and most antisemitic among the abominable Euro-Left – that is really the source of the problem. As everywhere, the Left ruins everything it touches. Unfortunately it looks like the Irish Left wants to ruin their ancient country. The decent Irish will be collateral damage unfortunately.
somehistory says
Nealy every nation seems to have a loud, obnoxious, anti-Jew bunch, anti-Christian mob, bringing down every society and nothing gets through to them. When they bring down their country, they are destroying themselves. It’s like climbing a tree, going out on a limb, and sawing it off.
We shout a warning, but they are too arrogant to take notice.
Eva says
It occurs to me that ireland is the perfect place to send all the invaders that keep turning up on britain’s shores, ‘legally’ and otherwise.
The irish who dont have a problem with Israel or britain can come over here, and can be replaced by moslems.
In the end it’ll work out much cheaper and better for everyone.
SKA says
The Irish are forever praising the Choctaw Indian Nation that quite generously gave ~$170 for Irish famine relief which actually was a considerable sum for an impoverished people. Yet amidst all this gratuitous hatred for Jews and for Israel their political class forgets that Baron Lionel de Rothschild (yes the ever hated Rothschilds) formed an Irish famine Jewish relief society that raised roughly £250,000 for the relief of the Irish. By contrast Her Royal Highness, Victoria, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, contributed a paltry £1,000. And let Irish patriots remember that both the Jewish Lord Mayor of Dublin and the Grand Rabbi of Ireland Itzhak HaLevi Herzog were supporters of Irish sovereignty.
Jamie James says
See if you feel the same when they are in control of your country, you will be on bended knee begging Israel to help you
bill says
It would be more fitting and logical for the Irish leadership to support Israel’s struggle to create an inependent
nation in the face of great odds. However most of the elder generation of Irish people were raised by nuns under the heavy hand of the RC church and scratch a Catholic and you will often find an anti semite. The pontiff himself is an egregious example.
Jim Harmon says
American Catholics are much less prone to exhibit this kind of hate than Euro Catholics are.
tgusa says
“In Ireland, ‘Obsessive Hostility’ to Israel.”
So what. Ireland is at the least unreliable.Back in the day while WWII raged across the planet Ireland was neutral. You are insignificant, Ireland. But then you always have been.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Has Israel expelled the Irish mission in Tel Aviv as well? They ought to
Tony says
Sadly, the nation is punishing itself via Islam’s Muslims for their hatred and virtue-signaling against Israel. Muslims are the demonic agents of Allah’s punishment against unbelievers[Non-Muslims]. Allah in Quran 9:14 says, “Engage in war with them[unbelievers]. Allah will torment them[unbelievers] by your hands and put them to shame and give you victory over them and heal chests of a believing people[Muslims].”
Simon says
When you say Ireland you could be implying g there was a unanimity about anti Israel sentiments. Plenty of Irish love Israel and support Israel, I include myself as a Zionist, but it seems a lot of the establishment and Sinn Fein love to virtue signal on behalf of the so called “Palestinian cause”.
Sanjay Tandon says
October 7th will come to every country that welcomes these STONE AGE ILLITERATE BARBARIANS . Never be soft to these Stone age Illiterate Barbarians of the deserts, push them to where they belong, never be sympathize to any organization or individual associated with the cult of Desert. The day you let them in your country start counting the end of your civilization. They hate Hindus, Christians, Jews, Atheists, LGBTQ, free speech, they don’t like Religious freedom, free women, but they constantly accuse all others of being Haters and Racists.
skeptiker says
Das Juden hassende Verhalten der Irren scheint in Brüssel niemanden zu stören. Passt doch so schön in das linke Narrativ. Dafür wird ständig Orban an den Pranger gestellt, der sich weigert Israel zu bashen, keine Massenmigration von Moslems zuzulassen und sich weigert, die Kultur des Landes für den Great Reset zu opfern.
Transmaster says
Translation:
The Jew-hating behavior of the lunatics doesn’t seem to bother anyone in Brussels. Fits so nicely into the left-wing narrative. For this, Orban is constantly pilloried for refusing to bash Israel, refusing to allow mass migration of Muslims, and refusing to sacrifice the country’s culture for the Great Reset.
Transmaster says
I agree Brussels has turned into an autocratic cultural suicide machine.
Fred The FIC says
It seems to me that the long-term plan, (decades long), of the Jihadi Nations is to isolate Israel from the European nations that support and defend it, together with the USA.
Germany, France, and the UK, three of the major supporters of Israel, are borderline “converted” by the Muslim replacement invasion as well as Spain and Itali. The USA is holding the line with the (re-) election of Donald Trump. How long that is going to last? I hope that things take a turn for the better, in the meantime, Israel is managing its Middle East enemies, barely.
Transmaster says
This is something coming from a people who were almost as hated as the Jews. In the US in the South before the Civil War, Black Slaves were worth a considerable amount of money, The Irish were not and were considered cheap and expendable. 1000’s died digging canals in the malarial swamps of Louisiana. More died building the Eastern side of the Continental Rail Road.
What Ireland did during WW2 was unforgivable, Because they remained neutral and had diplomatic relations with Germany, they allowed Germans to spy on supply convoys from the US. They alerted the submarine wolf packs of the course and speed so they could intercept. 1000s of tons of ships were sunk along with their crews.
A.T. Hall says
I suppose all groups and cultures around the world are composed of good guys and bad guys. In all my life I’ve had exceptionally great relations with Irish Americans and Irish Canadians (even though there is a clear difference even between these two groups, but the assholes in Ireland itself seem to outnumber the good guys in their tribe. Anti-Semitism has old roots in Ireland which maintained “neutrality” during WWII. De Valera, their PM mourned Hitler’s suicide. The Irish Jew, Briscoe, with roots in Russia and Lithuania, had served in the Irish Parliament for years and had become Lord Mayor of Dublin on two occasions. Their current love affair with Islam and importing potential Muslim Terrorists, will, in the end totally fuck up the fucked up Irish.
Pray Hard says
I look forward to the day when none of us begin our statement with an equivocation.