Israel severs diplomatic ties with European states

Israel said on Sunday it would close its embassy in Dublin due to the Irish government's "extremely anti-Israel policies," including recognition of a Palestinian state and support for international legal measures against its war in the Gaza Strip. This is reported by Reuters.

The Israeli authorities have already recalled their ambassador after Ireland's decision to approve the creation of a Palestinian state in May and became even angrier last week when Dublin supported South Africa's case in the International Court of Justice on charges of genocide against Israelis.

"The decision to close the Israeli Embassy in Dublin was made in light of the radical anti—Israeli policy of the Irish government," the Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"The actions and anti-Semitic rhetoric used by Ireland against Israel are rooted in the delegitimization and demonization of the Jewish state, as well as in double standards. Ireland has crossed all red lines in its relations with Israel," said Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris responded to Israel by saying that this decision is deeply regrettable, and his country will always defend human rights and international law.

"I completely reject the claim that Ireland opposes Israel. Ireland stands for peace, for human rights and for international law," he wrote in a post on X.

"Ireland wants a two-state solution, as well as Israel and Palestine lived in peace and security," he added.

Irish Foreign Minister Michael Martin, in turn, said that the two countries would maintain diplomatic relations and that there were no plans to close the Irish embassy in Israel.