Irish President Criticized as ‘Antisemitic Liar’ for Claiming Israel Seeks Settlement in Egypt

Irish President Michael D. Higgins has sparked outrage after falsely accusing Israel of seeking to establish a “settlement” in Egypt. The inflammatory remarks were made on Tuesday during a credentials ceremony for PLO “Ambassador” Jilan Abdaljamid and Italian Ambassador Nicola Faganello, escalating an already tense diplomatic crisis between Ireland and Israel.

Higgins criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of violating international law and breaching the sovereignty of neighboring countries, including Lebanon, Syria, and, baselessly, Egypt. “To suggest that because one criticizes Prime Minister Netanyahu, that is, one is antisemitic, is such a gross defamation and slander,” said Higgins, defending himself against accusations of antisemitism.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar quickly responded on social media, branding Higgins as an “antisemitic liar” and dismissing the claims about Egypt as entirely fabricated. Sa’ar reminded Higgins that Israel uprooted its communities in Sinai as part of its peace treaty with Egypt and emphasized that Ireland’s actions have repeatedly demonstrated hostility toward the Jewish state.

“And if we are discussing historical truths,” Sa’ar added, “let us not forget that Ireland was at best neutral during World War II. At that time, the free world was fighting Hitler’s axis while Ireland sat on the side and did nothing.”

This diplomatic spat follows Ireland’s decision to intervene in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, a move widely criticized in Jerusalem. On Sunday, Israel announced the closure of its embassy in Dublin, citing “antisemitic actions and rhetoric” by Ireland’s government.

Ireland has long been a vocal critic of Israel within the European Union, but its rhetoric has intensified following Israel’s response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led massacre that plunged the region into a multi-front war.

The closure of the embassy marks a significant deterioration in relations between the two countries, with Israeli officials accusing Ireland of consistently siding against the Jewish state in international forums.

The controversy surrounding Higgins’s comments highlights the growing tensions as Israel continues to push back against what it views as baseless accusations and antisemitic rhetoric in the international arena.

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