Israel has shut down its embassy in Ireland, citing "the extreme anti-Israel policy of the Irish Government" as the reason, Daily Dazzling Dawn understand.The action was taken a week after Dublin formally joined South Africa's lawsuit before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of genocide and requesting that the term's definition be expanded to aid in the prosecution of Israeli officials. Earlier this year, Ireland recognized a Palestinian state and announced that it will detain Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in response to a war crimes arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.In what is believed to be the first such action in a major Western nation, Israel announced on Sunday that it will close its embassy and remove its ambassador. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar stated: "Ireland's anti-Semitic rhetoric and actions against Israel are founded on demonization and delegitimization of the Jewish state, as well as double standards. Ireland's relationship with Israel was a violation of every red line.He ordered a new Israeli embassy to operate in Moldova and stated that Israel will spend its resources on establishing relations with other nations. The prime ministers of Ireland referred to the decision to close the Dublin embassy as "regrettable."Last week, Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs said it had asked for a revision of the definition of genocide after over Hamas claims that more than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since the Oct 7 attacks sparked the ongoing Gaza war.Israel said at least 17,000 of those killed were militants, with a recent report by the Right-leaning Henry Jackson Society also casting doubt on the numbers provided by the Hamas-run ministry of health in Gaza.

“By legally intervening in South Africa’s case, Ireland will be asking the ICJ to broaden its interpretation of what constitutes the commission of genocide,” Ireland’s statement said. “We are concerned that a very narrow interpretation of what constitutes genocide leads to a culture of impunity in which the protection of civilians is minimised.”Simon Harris, Ireland’s Taoiseach, said on Sunday: “Ireland wants a two-state solution, and for Israel and Palestine to live in peace and security. Ireland will always speak up for human rights and international law. Nothing will distract from that.”

Mr Netanyahu has rejected the idea of a two-state solution.

In May, Ireland formally recognised a Palestinian state as “a sovereign and independent state” alongside Spain and Norway in a symbolic move amid the war in Gaza, with the borders to be demarcated as they were prior to 1967, with Jerusalem as the capital of both Israel and Palestine.

At the time, Ireland said it would upgrade its representative office in the West Bank to a full embassy, and the Palestinian mission in Ireland would also be offered full embassy status.

In a statement following Israel’s announcement Sunday, Ireland’s department of foreign affairs said it would not reciprocate by closing its embassy in Israel, which it said was “carrying out important work”.

“Ireland and Israel will continue to maintain diplomatic relations. Inherent in that is the right to agree and disagree on fundamental points,” the statement said, adding that Israel’s actions in Gaza after Oct 7 “represents the collective punishment of the Palestinian people in Gaza”.

After Oct 7, death threats were made to Dana Erlich, the Israeli ambassador in Dublin. A package of white power, later determined to be sugar, was sent in the post along with pictures of Oct 7 victims and a note warning: “You’re next.”

Last month, a Jewish student wearing a Star of David was attacked in a nightclub in what was deemed a hate crime.

Ireland has long had an affinity with the Palestinian cause, likening the resistance to the Irish breakaway from Great Britain.

Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian Liberation Organisation leader, made trips to Ireland to work with Irish politicians, also hosting them in Gaza.Source-Telegraph