Israeli Hospital Dedicates Garden to Chaim Herzog After Dublin Moves to Erase His Legacy

In a powerful gesture of remembrance and national pride, Assuta Ashdod University Hospital announced Sunday that it will name a new garden on its campus in honor of Israel’s sixth president, Chaim Herzog. The decision comes just as Dublin’s city council prepares to vote on removing Herzog’s name from a public park in Ireland’s capital a move widely condemned as an act of historical erasure tied to anti-Israel sentiment.

Herzog Park, located in Dublin’s Rathgar neighborhood, was named for Chaim Herzog in recognition of his Irish birth and legacy. But following a committee vote on November 24, the full council is expected to vote Monday on renaming the park in favor of Palestine, amid tensions related to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

Assuta Ashdod, located in one of Israel’s front-line cities, framed its tribute as a rejection of what it called a “symbolic attack on memory” by Dublin’s municipal leaders. “This is a symbolic but unequivocal act,” said Dr. Hagar Gur, the hospital’s deputy director general. “If Dublin chooses to remove the statue, we at Assuta Ashdod choose to honor it. Their decision is antisemitic.”

Herzog’s legacy has been revisited around the world this month on the 50th anniversary of his landmark 1975 speech at the United Nations, where, as Israel’s ambassador, he fiercely denounced the infamous “Zionism is racism” resolution. That moment cemented Herzog’s role as a defender of Jewish identity and Israeli legitimacy on the global stage.

In Israel, the removal of his name from a park in Dublin is seen as a painful insult, particularly in a time of rising antisemitism and international hostility. The hospital’s decision to preserve Herzog’s memory is being hailed as a proud and meaningful act of resistance.

“Chaim Herzog represents dignity, courage, and the fight for truth,” said Dr. Gur. “Naming this garden for him is our privilege.”

Assuta Ashdod has played a critical role during wartime emergencies, treating thousands of civilians under threat from rocket fire and providing rapid-response care during the ongoing conflict. Earlier this year, the hospital was recognized with a Jerusalem Post Award for its unwavering service during crisis.

While Dublin moves toward renaming Herzog Park, Israel responds not with silence but with honor. The new garden at Assuta Ashdod will stand as a living tribute to a leader who stood up for the truth, and to a nation that remembers its heroes with gratitude and pride.

Honor Israel’s legacy and share this story with others. Subscribe to our newsletter for more updates on Israel’s defenders and the values we preserve.