What's happened
Israel has announced the closure of its embassy in Dublin, citing Ireland's support for a genocide petition against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Irish officials defend their actions as a commitment to international law, while tensions between the two nations escalate amid the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned Ireland's actions as 'extreme anti-Israel policies,' stating that 'Ireland has crossed every red line in its relations with Israel.' In contrast, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris described the embassy closure as 'deeply regrettable,' asserting that Ireland is 'pro-peace, pro-human rights and pro-international law.' The New York Times highlighted that while Israel's embassy in Dublin will close, diplomatic relations will continue, indicating a complex diplomatic landscape. The Independent noted that the ongoing conflict has resulted in a staggering death toll in Gaza, further complicating international responses to the situation.
How we got here
The closure follows Ireland's recent decision to intervene in South Africa's case against Israel, accusing it of genocide in Gaza. This move is part of a broader pattern of strained relations between Ireland and Israel, exacerbated by Ireland's recognition of a Palestinian state earlier this year.
Common question
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Why Did Israel Close Its Embassy in Ireland?
Israel's recent decision to close its embassy in Ireland has raised eyebrows and sparked discussions about the underlying diplomatic tensions. This move comes in the wake of Ireland's support for a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, alongside its recognition of a Palestinian state. What does this mean for Israeli-Irish relations and the broader geopolitical landscape? Here are some key questions and answers to help you understand the situation better.
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More on these topics
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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Ireland is an island in the North Atlantic. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel, the Irish Sea, and St George's Channel.
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Gaza may refer to:
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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Gideon Moshe Sa'ar is an Israeli politician who served as a member of the Knesset for the political party Likud between 2003 and 2014, and held cabinet posts of Education Minister and then of Minister of the Interior, from 2009 to 2014.
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The International Court of Justice, sometimes called the World Court, is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations. It settles disputes between states and gives advisory opinions on international legal issues referred to it by the UN. Its opin
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Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, and previously from 1996 to 1999. Netanyahu is also the Chairman of the Likud – National Liberal Movement.
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Moldova, officially the Republic of Moldova, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Romania to the west and Ukraine to the north, east, and south. The capital city is Chișinău.
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South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa, is the southernmost country in Africa. With over 59 million people, it is the world's 24th-most populous nation and covers an area of 1,221,037 square kilometres.
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Simon Harris is an Irish Fine Gael politician who has served as Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science since June 2020. He has been a Teachta Dála for the Wicklow constituency since 2011.
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Micheál Martin is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who has served as Taoiseach since June 2020, and Leader of Fianna Fáil since 2011.