Was is right for President Higgins to fire back against comments made by the Israeli government accusing the Irish people of anti-Semitism?

Speaking yesterday at a ceremony which was attended by the Ambassador of the State of Palestine in Áras an Uachtaráin, the President said that it is a ‘gross defamation’ and ‘deep-slander’ for the Israeli government to accuse the Irish people of being anti-Semitic.

His comments follow claims made by Israeli officials in relation to the closure of the Israeli Embassy in Ireland.

Israel's Foreign Minister said Ireland has "extreme anti-Israel tendencies" and described Taoiseach Simon Harris as "Ireland's anti-Semitic Prime Minister".

Since Israel’s decision on Sunday to close their embassy in Dublin, relations between the two countries have rapidly deteriorated.

Irish Independent columnist Ian O’Doherty told Lunchtime Live that it was not the President's right to involve himself in the situation.

“He's gone out of order and he should, quite frankly, resign – but he won’t, we all know that’s the case,” he said.

“This isn’t the first time that Higgins has gone completely rogue when it comes to Israel.”

“It’s quite indicative of the Irish left, to be quite frank.”

President Michael D. Higgins speaks to the United Nations General Assembly during the Summit of the Future, 22-09-2024. Image: Associated Press / Alamy

President Higgins had previously accused the Israeli embassy in Ireland of leaking a letter that he had sent to the newly elected prime minister of Iran.

“It turns out, the letter wasn’t leaked by the Israeli’s, the Iranian’s had put the letter up on their own website, thanking Higgins,” Mr O’Doherty said.

“So, he’s already got form on the record for blaming and accusing the Israeli’s of things that they simply didn’t do.”

'Accurate reflection of Government'

Irish Examiner columnist Fergus Finlay said the President was perfectly within his right with what he said.

“As far as I’m concerned, if the Irish Government had said something different or said nothing at all, then you could perhaps criticise the President for speaking out of line. But what he said was an absolute, complete, accurate reflection of Government policy,” he said.

“Micheál Martin had said the same thing; Simon Harris had said the same thing – and I suspect there was probably quite an element of hurt in the slur of anti-Semitism.”

Israeli embassy

However, Mr Finlay said that the Israeli government was also entirely within its rights to close its Dublin embassy.

“It’s a foolish thing for them to do because they’re just alienating people whose support they need to win back,” he said.

“I think most Irish people – and I would certainly be one of them – were horrified at what happened on October the 7th.

“The Irish Government entirely supported Israel on October the 7th and Israel’s right to react. I think all that changed with the incredible overreaction of the Netanyahu government.

“The slaughter of thousands and thousands of innocent Palestinians changed everything – but it’s not anti-Semitic to say so.”

Mr Finlay said that Ireland’s advocation for a two-state solution was ‘not anti-anything'.

Listen back here: