Ireland Defends Its Foreign Policy After Israeli Embassy Closure
Demonstration in solidarity with Gaza and Lebanon, in Dublin, Ireland, Nov. 9, 2024. X/ @PEJ741401
December 15, 2024 Hour: 11:54 am
Irish PM Harris recalled that his country stands for peace, human rights, and international law.
On Sunday, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris expressed regret over Israel’s announcement of the closure of its embassy in Dublin and emphasized that Ireland’s foreign policy is “rooted in a commitment to dialogue and the peaceful resolution of disputes.”
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“Keeping channels open has never been more important than it is now so that we can understand each other’s positions, even when we disagree,” he stated.
Earlier, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced it would close its embassy in Dublin following Ireland’s decision last week to join South Africa’s legal action against the Zionist state in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for genocide in Gaza.
“Ireland stands for peace, human rights, and international law. Ireland seeks a two-state solution where Israel and Palestine can live in peace and security. Ireland will always uphold human rights and international law,” Prime Minister Harris stressed.
Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin stated that his country would not close its embassy in Israel, as it serves an important purpose. He also reiterated that Ireland’s position on the Middle East conflict “has always been guided by the principles of international law and the obligation of all states to adhere to international humanitarian law.”
“The continuation of the war in Gaza and the loss of innocent lives is simply unacceptable and violates international law,” Martin said, adding that the Israeli offensive “constitutes the collective punishment of the Palestinian people” in the Gaza Strip.
In May, Israel withdrew its ambassador from Dublin after Ireland, Spain, and Norway recognized Palestine as a state, prompting retaliatory actions from the Israeli government and the announcement of new settlements in occupied Palestinian territory.
Although Ireland announced in March that it would participate in the genocide case against Israel, Martin confirmed on December 11 that he had secured cabinet approval and that the intervention would be submitted by the end of this month.
teleSUR/ JF Source: EFE
