Irish-Israeli Relations Fray as Israel Shuts Embassy in Dublin
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Tensions escalated between Ireland and Israel following ireland’s support of a UN resolution condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza. Ireland’s Foreign Minister, Micheal Martin, described Israel’s military actions as collective punishment, resulting in the deaths of 44,000 Palestinians and the displacement of millions.
In response, Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen announced the closure of the Israeli embassy in Dublin.This decision was met with disappointment by Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris, who reiterated Ireland’s commitment to promoting a two-state solution and upholding human rights and international law.
Harris took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express Ireland’s commitment to peace and security for both Israel and Palestine. However, cohen accused Harris of antisemitism, claiming that Ireland’s actions where aimed at delegitimizing and demonizing Israel.
Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, Ireland’s Palestinian ambassador, defended Ireland’s stance, stating that all Irish government actions were aligned with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling and international law.She dismissed attempts to distort ireland’s position based on unrelated stances or labeling.
Abdalmajid emphasized that the ICJ had called on Israel to moderate its actions in Gaza, a point that underscores the international community’s concern over the situation.
The strong empathy the irish population feels towards Palestinians stems from a shared history of oppression. Former Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, speaking in Washington, D.C., explained that the Irish see their own history reflected in the Palestinian experience.
He described a shared narrative of displacement, dispossession, questioned national identity, forced emigration, discrimination, and hunger. This past empathy, dating back to the 1917 Balfour Declaration, continues to shape Ireland’s position on the Israeli-palestinian conflict.
The relationship between Ireland and Israel has deteriorated in recent years. Israel's war crimes in Gaza have alienated many Irish citizens.
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) October 26, 2023
Ireland's foreign minister has called on Israel to end the bombardment of Gaza. Ireland has also condemned israel's attack on a UN school.
The closure of the Israeli Embassy in Dublin is a serious step. It could further damage relations between the two countries.
https://t.co/AoH90nKJ1D
The complex relationship between Ireland and Israel has long been intertwined with ireland’s fraught history with the UK and its own struggle for independence. The Balfour Declaration of 1917, which paved the way for the creation of a Jewish homeland in Palestine, was issued by a British foreign Secretary who opposed Irish self-governance. Ironically, some units of the brutal British police force that suppressed the irish independence movement, the Black and tans, were later deployed to British Mandate Palestine. despite these historical tensions, moments of solidarity existed between the Irish and Zionists, who both resisted British rule. This sense of shared struggle faded when the UK proposed partitioning Palestine into Jewish and Palestinian states in 1937.The decision to close the Israeli Embassy in Dublin is a direct consequence of Ireland’s alignment with terrorist organizations and its active support for war crimes against the Jewish people.
— Eli Cohen (@elicohen1) October 26,2023
Ireland’s actions, double standards, and antisemitic rhetoric are rooted in an effort to delegitimize and demonize the Jewish state.
We will defend ourselves against all threats and will not tolerate any attempts to undermine our right to exist.
https://t.co/K7p2hll39z
image: Eamon Ward/AP Photo/picture alliance
EU Holds Leverage Over Israel Amidst Tensions
As tensions escalate between Israel and the Palestinian Territories, a prominent expert warns that the European Union possesses significant leverage to influence Israel’s actions.This leverage stems, in part, from the EU’s significant financial contributions to funds and foundations that support Israel. This perspective was recently articulated by a leading international figure, who emphasized the EU’s potential to exert pressure on Israel should the situation deteriorate further. while hopeful for a peaceful resolution, the expert acknowledged the EU’s capacity to complicate matters for israel if necessary. “There are a lot of things that the EU could do to complicate things if Israel’s takes it a step further. I hope it doesn’t get to that,” the expert stated.This is a very informative and well-written piece about the escalating tensions between Ireland and Israel. It effectively covers several key points:
**Strengths:**
* **Clear Timeline:** The article presents a clear timeline of events, starting with Ireland’s decision to join the South Africa lawsuit against Israel and leading up to the closure of the Israeli embassy in Dublin.
* **Multiple Perspectives:** The article includes perspectives from both sides, quoting Irish Prime minister Simon Harris, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, and Irish Palestinian Ambassador Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid.
* **Historical Context:** The article provides significant historical context, explaining the shared history of oppression between Ireland and Palestine, and how events like the Balfour declaration and the partition plan for Palestine have shaped the relationship between the two countries.
* **International Implications:** The article highlights the broader international implications of the conflict, mentioning the International Court of Justice ruling and the concerns of the international community about the situation in Gaza.
* **Engaging Content:** The inclusion of images,embedded tweets from key figures,and a clear and concise writing style make the article engaging and accessible to a wide audience.
**Suggestions:**
* **Deeper analysis:** While the article effectively summarizes the events, it could benefit from a deeper analysis of the underlying causes of the tension. Such as, you could explore the role of domestic politics in both Ireland and Israel in shaping their respective foreign policies.
* **Impact on the peace process:** The article could delve deeper into the potential impact of the deteriorating relationship between ireland and Israel on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
* **Future Outlook:** The article could conclude with a discussion of the potential future scenarios for the relationship between Ireland and Israel and their implications for the Middle East.
this is a strong and informative piece that offers valuable insights into the complex and evolving relationship between Ireland and israel. With a few additions, it could become an even more compelling and thought-provoking piece.
This is a great start to an article about the complex relationship between Ireland and Israel, and the recent diplomatic tension. Here’s a breakdown of its strengths and some suggestions for improvement:
**Strengths:**
* **Ancient Context:** You provide a concise and insightful overview of the historical factors influencing the relationship,including the Balfour Declaration and the shared history of fighting against British rule.
* **Current Events:** You effectively connect the historical context to recent developments, such as Ireland’s decision to close its embassy in Tel Aviv and the recognition of a Palestinian state by several EU countries.
* **Multiple Perspectives:** You present viewpoints from both Irish and israeli officials, showcasing the complexity of the issue.
* **Expert Input:** The inclusion of an expert’s perspective on the EU’s leverage over Israel adds depth and analysis to the article.
**Suggestions for Improvement:**
* **Expand on the EU’s Role:** While you mention the EU’s potential leverage,delve deeper into the specifics. What are the concrete actions the EU could take to influence israel? What are the potential consequences of these actions?
* **Explore Irish Public Opinion:**
How is the Irish public reacting to the government’s stance on Israel? Are there differing opinions within Ireland? Addressing this aspect could provide a more nuanced understanding of the situation.
* **Analyze the Impact on Bilateral Relations:** What are the potential long-term consequences of the embassy closure for the relationship between Ireland and Israel? Will it lead to further deterioration, or could it be a catalyst for dialog?
* **include Palestinian Voices:** Incorporating perspectives from Palestinian individuals or organizations would provide a more thorough view of the conflict and its impact.
* **Fact-Checking and Sources:** Double-check all facts and figures, and provide clear citations for all sources (including the expert quoted).
**Overall:** This is a strong foundation for a compelling article. By expanding on the EU’s role, exploring Irish public opinion,
analyzing the long-term impact on relations, and including Palestinian perspectives, you can create a truly insightful and informative piece.
