**Ireland and Israel Diplomatic Row Deepens**
The relationship between Ireland and Israel has taken a turn for the worse. The Israeli government announced that it would close its embassy in Dublin due to what it called “extreme antisemitism” from the Irish government.
This move has caused distress among Israelis living in Ireland, who rely on the embassy for consular services and support. Maurice Cohen, chairperson of the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland, expressed deep concern about the closure of the embassy. He said that it would leave many Israelis feeling unsupported and angry.
Cohen also criticized the Irish government’s decision to intervene at the International Court of Justice, saying that it risked oversimplifying the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and unfairly isolating Israel. He called on both governments to seek ways to rebuild trust and ensure diplomatic engagement remains open.
**Israeli Government Reacts**
The Israeli government’s decision to close its embassy in Ireland was met with a strong reaction from Irish officials. Gideon Saar, the foreign minister of Ireland, said that the Republic had crossed “every line”. Simon Harris, the Taoiseach (prime minister), denied that Ireland is anti-Israel and expressed regret over the closure.
**Impact on Israelis in Ireland**
The closure of the embassy has left many Israelis living in Ireland feeling stranded. Daniel Epstein-O’Dowd from the Ireland Israel Alliance told BBC News NI that it was a “predictable decision” by Israel to close its embassy, but a “deeply sad” one nonetheless. He said that many Israelis in Dublin’s tech industry are now without an official embassy to turn to.
**Background**
The diplomatic row between Ireland and Israel began after Hamas launched a deadly attack on southern Israel last October, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel responded with a massive offensive in the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in significant loss of life and injury. The UN regards the death toll reported by Hamas’ health ministry as reliable.
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