(Spectator-UK) Ian O'Doherty - Israel decided on Sunday to close its embassy in Dublin, reflecting the growing resentment and genuine confusion felt by many in Jerusalem about what they see as Ireland's unfairly pro-Palestinian position since October 7. Ireland's approach to international law was the straw that broke the camel's back for Israel. Ireland, alongside that other titan of human rights and international law, South Africa, announced they would petition the International Court of Justice to "broaden" the terms of genocide so that it can be more easily applied to Israel's military actions in Gaza. Ireland's deputy prime minister and foreign minister Micheal Martin argues that the ICJ's definition of genocide isn't as evolved as the Irish one. But does he really expect the world to accept the dismally fuzzy logic which proclaims any conflict with civilian casualties is a genocide? Or perhaps is it only a genocide when Jews are involved in the fighting? After all, Ireland has been silent about any apparent "genocide" in Syria, Sudan, Yemen and elsewhere where the actual mass slaughter of civilians has been taking place. Then there is the added insult that by expanding the meaning of genocide, you're ultimately minimizing the gravity of the Holocaust, which is where the word "genocide" was born. The Irish government decided to finally drop any pretense of neutrality and effectively declared diplomatic war with Israel. There has been a hostility to Israel that is genuinely unprecedented in Irish political life. During last month's pre-election leader's debate, all ten party leaders agreed with each other on the need to boycott Israel. Soon we will be diplomatically separated from a country which should be our strongest ally in the region. Moreover, we need Israeli chip technology more than Israel needs Irish butter. The Irish government is playing a jaw-droppingly bad long-term game. The writer is an opinion columnist for the Irish Independent.
2024-12-17 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive