Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Simon Harris of antisemitism Monday because of his criticism of the Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza.
Saar said in a statement, "There is a difference between criticism and antisemitism based on the delegitimization and dehumanization of Israel and double standards towards Israel."
A spokesperson for Harris said the taoiseach would "not be responding to personalized and false attacks and remains focused on the horrific war crimes being perpetrated in Gaza, standing up for human rights and international law and reflecting the views of so many people across Ireland who are so concerned at the loss of innocent, civilian lives."
On Sunday, Israel announced it was closing its embassy in Ireland, a move that Saar said was prompted by Ireland's decision to support a petition at The Hague's International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza.
Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin defended his country's support of the petition, saying, "Any action that the Irish government has taken in respect to the Middle Eastern issues, and particularly in terms of the war in Gaza, has not been motivated than anything other than respect for international humanitarian law, respect for human rights."
Meanwhile, Gaza’s health ministry said Monday that Israel’s offensive against Hamas militants in the Palestinian enclave had killed more than 45,000 people.
The conflict has also wounded nearly 107,000 people, the ministry said. It does not distinguish between civilians and fighters in its count, but has previously said more than half of those killed have been women and children.
The health ministry said in its daily update that 52 people had been killed during the past day.
Civil defense and hospital officials said deadly Israeli strikes Sunday included attacks on Gaza City in the north, Khan Younis in southern Gaza and the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.
Israel's military said its operations Sunday included striking a Hamas command and control complex in Nuseirat.
Israel has repeatedly blamed Hamas militants for operating within areas occupied by Palestinian civilians, while Palestinians and rights groups say the Israeli military is not doing enough to prevent civilian deaths.
The war was triggered by the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on southern Israel, during which the militants killed about 1,200 people and took 250 hostages. About 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza, with at least one-third believed to be dead.
Hamas has been designated as a terror group by the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and others.
