Former Justice Minister Alan Shatter has urged people fuelling anti-Zionist discourse in Ireland to realise its similarities to Irish nationalism.
Mr Shatter criticised Irish President Michael D Higgins for claiming the Israeli ambassador was incorrect about the rise of antisemitism in Ireland since October 7th.
He told The Anton Savage Show the President’s comments were “extraordinarily inappropriate and completely inaccurate”.
“I know the Israeli ambassador - she's a very decent good person.
“Anything she's had to say about this issue is absolutely accurate.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli Government have received harsh criticism for their military strikes in the Gaza Strip, including an order from the United Nations to halt its assault in Rafah immediately.
The Israeli Government has maintained it will continue to target Hamas, who killed 1,200 Israelis and took 250 hostages on October 7th, until they are defeated and hostages are released.
Criticising Zionism
Mr Shatter a member of Ireland's Jewish community, said people can criticise the Israeli State like any other State.
“[But] on this very specific issue, there has been an enormous escalation in antisemitic – not simply anti-Israel – comments in the last number of months,” he said.
“I know members of the Dublin Jewish community who fear heading into town in Dublin on a day that people are [in] pro-Palestinian marches because of the nature of the narrative.
“The narrative is globalized the Intifada... it means to kill Jews globally.
“It's a very straightforward chant that has been now adopted, taken up across all political parties.”
Lets be absolutely clear. Pres Higgins has no remit to speak for the Irish Jewish community,to denigrate Israels ambassador or deny the reality of escalating antisemitism on its behalf nor to invent a new conspiracy theory. https://t.co/o0xxqod8Vv
— Alan Shatter (@Alan__Shatter) May 25, 2024
Mr Shatter noted that many demonstrations across Ireland have left Irish Jewish people feeling isolated, including the string of student encampments in the last month.
He visited the University College Dublin (UCD) encampment, where he claims there were roughly “six or seven” protestors despite there being more than 80 tents.
“It had a big poster outside, ‘Globalise the Intifada’, ‘Crush Zionism’,” he said.
“Most Jewish people are Zionists – now Zionists has become a curse word.
“There's no difference between Zionism and Irish nationalism.
“Zionism means that I believe that Jewish people have a right to self-determination in their homeland, just as I believe Irish people have a right to self-determination in it.”
Jewish community in Ireland
The President knows there are “concerns” among the Jewish community in Ireland, including many considering leaving the country, according to Mr Shatter.
He did note, however, that he has had “fantastic” reactions from people in his own community in Ballinteer who disagree with the President’s comments.
The former Justice Minister was also somewhat critical of the decision from the Government to recognise an independent Palestinian State.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin said there can be no peace in the Middle East until all people have the same rights to self-determination.
Mr Shatter said this doesn't take account of the reality of the situation, and the “Palestinian side” must end their “objective to eradicate Israel”.
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