‘Ireland is not anti-Semitic': Taoiseach rejects criticism from veteran US senator
Occupied Territories Bill
from the chairman of the United States Senate foreign relations committee, describing the accusation of anti-Semitism as appalling. Idaho Republican Jim Risch said Ireland was on
'a hateful, anti-Semitic path'
and that the US would have to reconsider the bilateral relationship if the legislation proceeded.
'I would reject any assertion that this is anti-Semitic. I'm appalled of that assertion and that's something we're going to correct,' Micheál Martin told The Irish Times.
Speaking in Osaka during a four-day visit to Japan, Mr Martin said the war in Gaza was causing pressure on politics throughout Europe. But he insisted the Government did not have to choose between defending Ireland's economic interests and taking a tough position against Israel's actions.
'We've been very responsible in terms of looking at everything through the prism of humanitarian rights. I don't know how anyone can justify the blockade in Gaza. The reports we're repeatedly getting from UN agencies in respect of starving children and the slaughter of children, that is absolutely unacceptable,' he said.
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'It's not one or the other. We will work on our economic interests. We'll work to explain our position to interlocutors in the US and to the US administration.'
The Taoiseach said he was encouraged by Donald Trump's 'absolute opposition to war' to hope that the US president could succeed in bringing an end to the killing in Gaza. Martin said that during his visit to Washington in March, it was clear Israel was galvanising opinion in the US against Ireland.
'We were getting feedback that there was a certain undermining of Ireland unjustifiably and endeavouring to position Ireland's opposition into the conduct of the war and the breaching of international humanitarian law by Israel, and labelling that as anti-Semitic,' he said.
'Ireland is not anti-Semitic. We've been very strongly supportive of international and global efforts to oppose anti-Semitism. We've signed significant declarations in that respect, but also in terms of our own education system, we've been very strong in terms of teachings on the Holocaust and the horrors of all of that. We would reject that very strongly, and that's a bit of a smear on Ireland.'
Much of the focus of the Taoiseach's visit to Japan is on the bilateral economic relationship and Japanese investment in Ireland. Japan's population is declining by more than 800,000 every year and Martin said that contrary to anti-immigration rhetoric, Ireland's growing population is one of its attractions for foreign investors.
'I said it this week to a couple of Japanese companies, there is no issue with human capital in Ireland because we have access to the European labour market. It's been a powerful incentive, whereas tax would have been an earlier incentive. In the modern world, it's human capital,' he said.
'I acknowledge that our population has gone up by one-third in two decades. That's what's creating the pressure on services, creating huge demand on housing, but also on health services, education services. But there's something to reflect on that we're now, for the first time since the famine, over seven million people. To me, that's an extraordinary achievement by modern Ireland. It should be seen as an achievement.'
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Irish Times
an hour ago
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Irish in Germany are caught between starkly different perspectives on the war in Gaza
There was plenty for Tánaiste Simon Harris to discuss on Friday in Berlin with his new German foreign minister colleague, Johann Wadephul. After a chilly meeting of Irish and German foreign ministers last year, no joint press conference was planned this time around. Berlin and Dublin, traditionally close partners on EU and foreign policy, have found themselves far apart following the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7th 2023, which claimed at least 1,200 lives. In his January 2024 visit, then-tánaiste Micheál Martin suggested Berlin's view of the Gaza conflict was constrained 'by the historical prism of the Holocaust', though 'evolving'. Germany's position has evolved quite a bit further since then, with growing public outrage here over Israel's Gaza blockade, settler violence in the West Bank and a Palestinian death toll nearing 60,000. A more critical tone towards Israel from the new German government, however, has yet to be matched in any significant policy shift. 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Because the cry of a child is the same in any language. It compels us to provide comfort and protection from harm. 'As human beings in positions of power, we can no longer bear the heartbreaking cries of the children of the Middle East. The new US Ambassador to Ireland Edward S Walsh (left) accompanied on stage by his wife Lynn, two of his three daughters and Tánaiste Simon Harris at the 4th of July celebrations at Deerfield Residence in Phoenix Park, Dublin. Photograph: Dan Dennison 'I urge all involved to support and engage in efforts under way to reach agreement on a new ceasefire and hostage release agreement.' Mr Harris told the crowd the US helped bring peace to our island 'by putting its own reputation on the line, and believing in hope instead of history'. 'The Good Friday Agreement taught the world that peace is always possible, that wounds can be healed, and that differences that once seemed insurmountable can be overcome.' Mr Harris said, at home and abroad, 'Ireland's message is always the same: We must honour our history by putting our own reputation on the line in the search for peace'. 'Ireland's concerns reflect a heartfelt commitment to humanitarian principles and a belief that lasting peace can only come through justice, accountability, and the protection of all civilian lives.' He said: 'When friends speak candidly to one another, it strengthens rather than weakens their bond.' During his speech, Mr Harris also spoke about the ongoing tariff war between the US and the EU. 'With some of the most important voices in the Irish and US business communities here tonight, let me say again loud and clear – we want and need to see an agreement reached between the EU and the US,' Mr Harris said. 'Ireland has been consistent in our approach; we want to see zero for zero tariffs in as many areas as possible. We want to reach a deal as soon as possible.' 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Photograph: Dan Dennison The new US Ambassador to Ireland Edward S Walsh on stage with his wife Lynn. Photograph: Dan Dennison Musician and dancer Michael Flatley on stage at the July 4th event on Thursday evening. Photograph: Dan Dennison Tánaiste Simon Harris (right) and Michael Flatley at the 4th of July celebrations. Photograph: Dan Dennison About 2,500 guests from the worlds of politics, business, culture, sport, and media attended the event, marking the 249th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America. Many TDs, past and present, milled around, but several politicians turned down an invite to the party. Among them was People Before Profit–Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger, who took part in a large Palestine solidarity protest across the road from the residence. Zak Hania was among the proesters at the Phoenix Park on Thursday evening. Photograph: Órla Ryan Ruth Coppinger described the situation in Gaza as 'US-funded genocide'. Photograph: Órla Ryan Protesters shouted 'shame, shame' and 'you feast while Gaza starves' as guests entered the party. Ms Coppinger was among the protesters. She said, as a TD, she had been invited to the celebration but could not in good conscience attend. 'It's absolutely incredible that such a thing would be organised. The people of Gaza are starving or being killed trying to access food,' she said. Ms Coppinger described the situation in Gaza as 'US-funded genocide'. 'Genocide in Gaza couldn't be happening without the political, and financial support of the United States.' Zak Hania , an Irish-Palestinian man who spent months trapped in the Gaza Strip before returning to Ireland last year, was also at the protest. 'The Americans are a huge part in this genocide, and they are contributing to the killing machine of our children and our elderly and our people,' Mr Hania said. 'You are having a huge dinner, and you are inviting a lot of people to eat and enjoy while the blood of our children are on the streets and our people are dying of hunger.'
