Israel will close its embassy in Dublin in light of "the extreme anti-Israel policies of the Irish government," Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has said in a statement.

"It should be noted that in the past, Israel's ambassador to Dublin was recalled following Ireland's unilateral decision to recognise a 'Palestinian state'. Last week, Ireland announced its support for South Africa's legal action against Israel in the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of 'genocide'."

Taoiseach Simon Harris has described the move as a "deeply regrettable decision" from the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In a statement on X, Mr Harris said that he utterly rejected the assertion that Ireland is anti-Israel.

"Ireland is pro-peace, pro-human rights and pro-International law."

Speaking later, Mr Harris said:

"What we're seeing unfolding in Gaza and in the West Bank is absolutely appalling, extraordinarily concerning and Ireland has consistently spoken up in favour of peace and a ceasefire and we've always called for the release of hostages and we've always supported the work of international courts.

"And while we will continue our diplomatic relations with Israel, we believe diplomatic relations are important, even when you vehemently disagree with the government of the country.

"We will not be in any way distracted by this development from continuing to speak out."

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin has said there are "no plans to close Ireland's embassy in Israel" despite the development. He said:

"I believe firmly in the importance of maintaining diplomatic channels of communication and regret that this decision has been taken."

On Wednesday, Mr Martin secured Government approval for Ireland to intervene in South Africa's case against Israel. The case was initiated following the launch of military operations in Gaza after the 7 October 2023 attack. It concerns breaches of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in Gaza.

By filing a declaration of intervention, Ireland is not joining either side in the case.

Mr Martin proposed to intervene to promote a consistent interpretation of the Genocide Convention which prioritises the protection of civilian life, and to demonstrate Ireland's strong commitment to the rule of law and international justice.

Last month, Mr Harris said Irish authorities would detain Mr Netanyahu if he travelled to Ireland after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid criticised his government's decision to close the embassy in Dublin. In a statement on X, he said:

"The way to deal with criticism is not to run away, but to stay and fight!. The decision was ... a victory for anti-semitism and anti-Israeli organisation."

Mr Lapid argued:

"Israel needs to maintain embassies precisely in places where there are acute conflicts with the government, and a foreign minister who is only concerned with surrender and escaping conflicts is not doing his job."

Chairperson of the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland Maurice Cohen has said:

"I am deeply concerned by the deterioration in relations between Ireland and Israel. While Ireland has always championed human rights and the rule of law, this intervention risks oversimplifying a highly complex and tragic conflict, unfairly isolating Israel, and undermining the integrity of the term 'genocide'.

"Ireland's moral voice carries weight globally, and it is crucial that it reflects a fair and balanced approach, fostering dialogue rather than deepening division.

"The closure of the Israeli Embassy in Ireland is particularly distressing for the Jewish community in Ireland, which has grown and diversified significantly in recent years."

The ICC issued warrants for Mr Netanyahu and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant "for crimes against humanity and war crimes" committed between 8 October 2023, and May 20 this year in Gaza.

Earlier this year, the Israeli ambassador to Ireland, Dana Erlich, was recalled over the decision to recognise the State of Palestine.

The decision, announced in late May, meant the Government recognised Palestine as a sovereign and independent state, and agreed to establish full diplomatic relations between Dublin and Ramallah. Spain and Norway recognised a Palestinian state on the same day, with Slovenia following a week later.

In March, Mr Martin said that while it was for the ICJ to decide whether genocide is being committed, he wanted to be clear that Hamas' attack on 7 October and what is happening in Gaza now "represents the blatant violation of international humanitarian law on a mass scale."

Mr Saar said Israel would invest its resources in building ties with other countries, and announced the opening of an embassy in Moldova.
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