Latest news with #DanaErlich
The Journal
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Israeli ambassador to Ireland delivered démarche condemning IDF shots fired at diplomats
LAST UPDATE | 30 mins ago ISRAEL'S NON-RESIDENT AMBASSADOR to Ireland Dana Erlich has been delivered a démarche from a senior official of the Department of Foreign Affairs condemning shots fired in the vicinity of a group of diplomats in the West Bank. Two diplomats from Ireland were with the group, the Tánaiste has said. A démarche is essentially a formal diplomatic communication sent to express the official position of a body. It is often used to protest against actions or communicate dissatisfaction. A number of EU countries are demanding an explanation for the firing of live rounds during the delegation's visit to the West Bank. Tánaiste Simon Harris said he was 'shocked and appalled' by the incident. 'Fortunately, no-one was hurt,' he wrote in a post to X . 'This is completely unacceptable and I condemn it in the strongest terms.' Erlich was told that Ireland regards the incident as clear breach of obligations under international law, as regards to the protection of diplomats under diplomatic law. She was asked to register Ireland's condemnation and demand for a full explanation with the Israeli authorities. Erlich was recalled to Israel last May following Ireland's official recognition of Palestine as a state. She has continuously criticised Ireland for actions taken in support of Palestine and in December, the Israeli embassy in Dublin was shut down. This evening, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said in a statement that he 'unreservedly [condemns] this aggressive, intimidatory and violent act. This is not and must never be a normal way to behave'. He said that Ireland and the international community will be 'demanding answers' from Israel on the matter. 'Diplomats play a very important and vital role representing countries. They should be enabled to go about their work in an unimpeded manner and should never fear becoming targets,' Martin concluded. AFP footage from the scene of the incident in the city of Jenin – a frequent target of Israeli military raids – showed the delegation and accompanying journalists running for cover as shots are heard. The Palestinian Authority accused the IDF troops of 'deliberately' shooting at the delegation. A large number of EU countries have immediately come out against the incident. Italy has summoned the Israeli ambassador to Rome following the incident, while Belgium has demanded a 'convincing explanation' over the attack on a 'clearly identifiable' convoy. Portugal has summoned the Israeli ambassador following the incident, which it said 'calls international law into question'. A Portuguese diplomat was part of the delegation shot at. Spain has said it 'strongly condemns' the actions of the Israeli occupation forces, adding that it is 'in contact with other affected countries to jointly coordinate a response'. Spain's foreign minister said that the country is summoning Israel's most senior representative over the incident. Israel recalled its ambassador to Spain after Madrid recognised a Palestinian state a year ago. Advertisement Turkey, Egypt, and Germany have also condemned the shooting. An employee of the Turkish consulate in Jerusalem was with the group. Germany, an ally of Israel, had a diplomat accompanied by a driver within the convoy targeted by the IDF soldiers. A Dutch diplomat was also present, and the Netherlands has strongly condemned the incident. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has called on Israel to hold 'accountable' those responsible for the shooting. 'Any threats on diplomats' lives are unacceptable,' Kallas said. No injuries were reported in the incident. The Palestinian foreign ministry condemned 'the heinous crime committed by the Israeli occupation forces, which deliberately targeted by live fire an accredited diplomatic delegation to the State of Palestine during a field visit'. The Israeli military said in a statement that 'the delegation deviated from the approved route and entered an area where they were not authorised to be.' It said that 'soldiers operating in the area fired warning shots to distance them away', adding that it 'regrets the inconvenience caused'. An AFP journalist heard shots echo from the area of the Jenin refugee camp. A video released by the Palestinian foreign ministry showed two men in Israeli army uniform pointing guns at a group of people from behind metal gates while shots ring out. AFP was not immediately able to verify the video, but the journalist in Jenin said the footage appears to show the camp's eastern entrance. It comes a day after the UK announced a pause in trade deal negotiations with Israel and the EU promised a review of its own trade agreement with the country as a result of its continued 11-week blockade of aid entering the besieged Gaza strip. The Israeli military, which in January launched a major operation in the Jenin area , has recently installed metal gates as seen in the video at the entrances to the camp. A European diplomat present during the visit told AFP he heard 'repeated shots' coming from inside Jenin refugee camp. 'We were doing a visit with the governor of Jenin to the border of the camp to see the destruction', the diplomat said. 'It was the last part of the visit and suddenly we heard shots, coming from the camp. It was not like once or twice. It was like repeated shots. So at that moment, we just all started running back to the cars', the diplomat added. Ahmad al-Deek, political advisor for the Palestinian foreign ministry, told AFP he was leading the delegation. 'We condemn this reckless act by the Israeli army, especially at a time when it had given the diplomatic delegation an impression of the life the Palestinian people are living', he said. Since Israel launched its large-scale military operation in the northern West Bank, the Jenin refugee camp has emptied of its inhabitants and taken over by troops. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said that by 31 March, the operation had displaced some 16,000 people in Jenin. With reporting from © AFP 2025 , Keith Kelly and Emma Hickey
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Irish president accused of 'politicising' Holocaust event
Israeli Ambassador to Ireland Dana Erlich has accused the Irish president of "politicising" a Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration in Dublin on Sunday. The event marked 80 years since the end of World War II and was held to remember victims of the Holocaust. A number of people were removed and others left the event in Dublin's Mansion House in protest as Michael D Higgins delivered his speech, which referenced the Israel-Gaza war. Erlich said comments made by President Higgins had "predictably" admonished the state of Israel. It follows comments from the Israeli Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, who said President Higgins had "resorted to a cheap, despicable provocation" during the event. On Monday, Dana Erlich said that by referencing the war in Gaza in the manner that he did, at this particular event with no reference to any other conflict, the president "consciously chose to draw an analogy" between current events and World War Two. She added: "The concerns of the Irish Jewish and Israeli communities about Ireland becoming a hostile place, a place where they are reluctant to express their Jewish identity and heritage, are not being addressed sufficiently". Erlich also accused President Higgins of ignoring "the obvious link between the Holocaust and the state of Israel and how our country became a refuge for survivors of the worst genocide in history". During his speech on Sunday, President Higgins made mention of revenge as a "lessening of the human spirit". Audiences members walked out and others turned their backs when the president referenced the war in Gaza. He said: "Those in Israel who mourn their loved ones, those who have been waiting for the release of hostages, or the thousands searching for relatives in the rubble in Gaza will welcome the long-overdue ceasefire for which there has been such a heavy price paid." President Higgins quoted both the Israeli peace activist Maoz Inon and the Palestinian peace activist Aziz Abu Sarah who, he said, while each carrying a near-unbearable grief, were asking people to listen to each other. Some of those who turned their backs, were removed from the building by security. In her statement, Dana Erlich expressed specific concern at this. "It was shocking to observe that attendees from the Jewish and Israeli community in Ireland, who chose to express disagreement with the president's comments in a dignified a non-disruptive manner where forcibly removed from the memorial event and refused entry for the remainder of the commemoration." She described it as an "ugly and regrettable scene" which has been viewed with "disbelief and disgust". "Sadly, the concerns of the Irish Jewish and Israeli communities about Ireland becoming a hostile place... are not being addressed sufficiently," she added. Meanwhile, The Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris expressed his support for Michael D Higgins who he said was "right" to to mention the Middle East during his speech at the Holocaust commemoration. Mr Harris told reporters in Brussels that he thought the president was "clear in relation to obviously specific issues regarding the Holocaust and his absolute condemnation of the horror, the murder of the Jewish people, but also, I think, rightly mentioning the situation in the Middle East as well but also calling very much for hostages to be released". Harris said he was conscious it is a "very, very sensitive time" and he didn't wish to say anything to distract from that. The tánaiste (deputy prime minister) added he was "not sure" if the president's speech was vetted by the Department of Foreign Affairs prior to delivery The president had rejected an earlier call from Dana Erlich to withdraw from giving a speech at the event following an accusation that he helped to nurture the "anti-Israeli atmosphere" in Ireland. Last month, Israel's foreign minister announced that the country's embassy in Dublin would close over "the extreme anti-Israel policies of the Irish government". This followed the recognition of a Palestinian state by Ireland, along with Norway and Spain, in May last year. Former Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Harris said the decision by Israel to close its Irish embassy is "deeply regrettable". He also rejected that Ireland is anti-Israel. Israeli foreign minister calls Ireland's premier 'antisemitic' What next as Ireland recognises Palestinian state? Israel to close embassy in Ireland as it criticises 'anti-Israel policies'
BBC News
27-01-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Israel: Irish president accused of 'politicising' Holocaust event
Israeli Ambassador to Ireland Dana Erlich has accused the Irish president of "politicising" a Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration in Dublin on event marked 80 years since the end of World War II and was held to remember victims of the Holocaust.A number of people were removed and others left the event in Dublin's Mansion House in protest as Michael D Higgins delivered his speech, which referenced the Israel-Gaza said comments made by President Higgins had "predictably" admonished the state of Israel. It follows comments from the Israeli Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, who said President Higgins had "resorted to a cheap, despicable provocation" during the event. 'Ireland becoming a hostile place' On Monday, Dana Erlich said that by referencing the war in Gaza in the manner that he did, at this particular event with no reference to any other conflict, the president "consciously chose to draw an analogy" between current events and World War added: "The concerns of the Irish Jewish and Israeli communities about Ireland becoming a hostile place, a place where they are reluctant to express their Jewish identity and heritage, are not being addressed sufficiently".Erlich also accused President Higgins of ignoring "the obvious link between the Holocaust and the state of Israel and how our country became a refuge for survivors of the worst genocide in history". 'Ugly and regrettable scene' During his speech on Sunday, President Higgins made mention of revenge as a "lessening of the human spirit".Audiences members walked out and others turned their backs when the president referenced the war in said: "Those in Israel who mourn their loved ones, those who have been waiting for the release of hostages, or the thousands searching for relatives in the rubble in Gaza will welcome the long-overdue ceasefire for which there has been such a heavy price paid."President Higgins quoted both the Israeli peace activist Maoz Inon and the Palestinian peace activist Aziz Abu Sarah who, he said, while each carrying a near-unbearable grief, were asking people to listen to each of those who turned their backs, were removed from the building by her statement, Dana Erlich expressed specific concern at this. "It was shocking to observe that attendees from the Jewish and Israeli community in Ireland, who chose to express disagreement with the president's comments in a dignified a non-disruptive manner where forcibly removed from the memorial event and refused entry for the remainder of the commemoration."She described it as an "ugly and regrettable scene" which has been viewed with "disbelief and disgust"."Sadly, the concerns of the Irish Jewish and Israeli communities about Ireland becoming a hostile place... are not being addressed sufficiently," she added. 'Regrettable scene' Meanwhile, The Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris expressed his support for Michael D Higgins who he said was "right" to to mention the Middle East during his speech at the Holocaust Harris told reporters in Brussels that he thought the president was "clear in relation to obviously specific issues regarding the Holocaust and his absolute condemnation of the horror, the murder of the Jewish people, but also, I think, rightly mentioning the situation in the Middle East as well but also calling very much for hostages to be released".Harris said he was conscious it is a "very, very sensitive time" and he didn't wish to say anything to distract from tánaiste (deputy prime minister) added he was "not sure" if the president's speech was vetted by the Department of Foreign Affairs prior to delivery The president had rejected an earlier call from Dana Erlich to withdraw from giving a speech at the event following an accusation that he helped to nurture the "anti-Israeli atmosphere" in month, Israel's foreign minister announced that the country's embassy in Dublin would close over "the extreme anti-Israel policies of the Irish government".This followed the recognition of a Palestinian state by Ireland, along with Norway and Spain, in May last Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Harris said the decision by Israel to close its Irish embassy is "deeply regrettable".He also rejected that Ireland is anti-Israel.
