It is “deep slander” to accuse the Irish people of being antisemitic because of criticisms of the Israeli government, Ireland’s president has said.
Michael D Higgins made the comments after Israel said it was closing its embassy in Dublin and as Israel’s foreign minister accused Ireland of “antisemitic rhetoric”.
At a ceremony at Aras an Uachtarain where the Palestinian Ambassador was appointed – a formality that is part of Ireland recognising Palestinian statehood – Mr Higgins said it was a “historic” and “great” day.
He also criticised the Israeli government’s accusations against Ireland and said it would not change Ireland’s stance.
“I think it’s very important to express, as president of Ireland, to say that the Irish people are antisemitic is a deep slander,” he said on Tuesday.
“To suggest because one criticises Prime Minister Netanyahu that one is antisemitic is such a gross defamation and slander.
“Originally… I put it down to lack of experience but I saw later that it was part of a pattern to damage Ireland.”
He said Ireland “cannot be knocked off our principle support of international law” and accused Benjamin Netanyahu of breaching international law and the sovereignty of Syria and Lebanon.
Israeli foreign affairs minister Gideon Saar said its Dublin embassy was closing due to what he said was hostility towards Israel, citing Ireland recognising a Palestinian state “during attacks on Israel”, and attempting to “redefine ‘genocide’ in international law to support baseless claims against Israel at the International Court of Justice”.
Taoiseach Simon Harris has “utterly” rejected claims of antisemitism, while deputy premier and foreign affairs minister Micheal Martin said their position had been based on upholding international law.
Mr Martin also said they would not close Ireland’s embassy in Israel.
Addressing Palestinian ambassador Dr Jilan Abdalmajid, Mr Higgins said: “I want to assure you as the Tanaiste has and as the Taoiseach has, we will not be deflected.”
Mr Higgins said that the killing of 45,000 people in Gaza, 17,000 of whom are children; injuries in Gaza being treated without pain relief; and the Palestinian enclave having the largest number of child amputees in the world is what Ireland bases its position on.
“All of the details of these tragic breaches of international law are what is informed by the Irish position.”
Dr Abdalmajid said she was honoured to become the Palestinian ambassador and said Palestine and Ireland had been “bound” by friendship and cooperation.
“I take this opportunity to express our people’s and our leadership’s deep appreciation for the honourable stance of Ireland and its leadership in supporting the legitimate rights of our people in self determination and in our quest for freedom and independence,” she said before thanking him in Irish.
Mr Higgins wished the Palestinian people health and happiness “in the face of the most terrible of adversities”.
He and his wife Sabina embraced Dr Abdalmajid, her husband and her three children before they departed from Aras an Uachtarain.
