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Irish politicians and campaigners have accused Israel of a deliberate attempt to "smear Ireland" and trying to silence the government's legislative agenda aimed at protecting Palestinian lives.Ìý

On Sunday, Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon SaarÌýannounced the closure of the Israeli embassy in Dublin, claiming the decision was due to Ireland’s "extreme anti-Israel policies" and "antisemitic rhetoric".

Lynn Boylan, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for Sinn Féin,Ìýhas dismissed Israel's accusations and believes the move is a tactic to dissuade Ireland from enacting the upcoming Occupied Territories Bill, which would criminalise trade with illegal settlements.

"It's obvious what the Israeli government are trying to do here, and that is to create a sort of chilling effect around the legislation," she told °®Âþµº.

'Israel weaponising antisemitism'

Boylan argued that Israel is using its common strategy to leverage accusations of antisemitism to deflect criticism of its policies regarding Palestine.Ìý

"Benjamin Netanyahu’s government’s playbook is to weaponise charges of antisemitism," she said.

"At this stage now, they have referred to the judges in the international court as being antisemitic, the Irish government as being antisemitic, the UN as antisemitic. This is what they do."

The row marked a turning point in Ireland-Israel relations, which have deteriorated in recent years as Dublin emerged as one of Europe’s most vocal critics of Israel’s war in Gaza and its illegal occupation of Palestinian land. Ìý

While embassies in countries such as Spain, South Africa, and Norway - nations that have also adopted critical stances on Israeli policies - remain open, Ireland has been singled out for diplomatic attacks by Israel.

Embassy closure long overdue

Prominent pro-Palestinian campaigners have claimed Israel representatives were never welcomed in Dublin and hit out at Israel’s criticism.

Zoe Lawlor, chairperson of Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign told °®Âþµº: "These are just smears against the Irish government and the Irish people.

"People in Ireland don’t want the representatives of a genocidal state here. As we say; Don’t let the door hit you on the way out."Ìý

The activist added that the move represents a victory for grassroots solidarity but called for further government actions against Israel’s treatment of Palestinians. Ìý

"It's great the Israeli embassy is closing here, but it should have been our government that shut it down, rather than Israel itself," Lawlor adds.

"For years, we’ve called for an end to all diplomatic ties with Israel, long before this genocide. Ireland must lead by example - sanction, stop trade, and end the use of Shannon Airport for military purposes."Ìý

According to human rights group Shannonwatch, the airport has allowed 11 US military flights to stop off before heading to Israel since October 2023 and has been used as a stopover for 85 flights flying to the region.

Responding to the embassy closure, Irish Prime Minister Simon HarrisÌýstrongly rejected Israel’s accusations of antisemitism.

The PM defended Ireland’s decision to keep its own embassy in Tel Aviv, arguing that maintaining diplomatic ties was important to ensure dialogue, but activists have condemned the decision to do this.

"Instead of talking about the 50 or 60 people who are likely murdered every day in Gaza, we’re talking about this diplomatic standoff," Lawlor said.