Israeli Ambassador Unlikely to Return to Ireland Without Significant Improvement in Relations, Embassy States

According to the Israeli Embassy, Israel’s ambassador to Ireland, Dana Erlich, will return to Dublin once relations between the two countries improve significantly.

Ambassador Erlich was recalled on May 22nd after the Irish Government officially recognised the state of Palestine, which sparked tension between the two nations.

The recall of Ambassador Erlich was part of Israel’s diplomatic protest against Ireland’s recognition of Palestine.

Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, condemned the decision, calling it a “reward for terrorism” and an injustice to the memory of those killed in the October 7th Hamas attacks.

More than 1,100 Israelis, mostly civilians, were killed during those attacks, which have significantly heightened tensions in the region.

A spokesperson from Israel’s embassy in Dublin indicated that there are no plans for Ambassador Erlich to return unless Ireland alters its stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The embassy expressed disappointment, stating that the Irish Government’s recent statements and positions have been “unfriendly” and inconsistent with the spirit of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Israel hopes Ambassador Erlich will resume her duties in Dublin under more favourable conditions.

However, consultations with the ambassador continue for now, and she remains actively involved in her role from Jerusalem, where she has been vocal in her criticism of Ireland’s approach to the conflict.

Israel’s diplomatic response is not limited to Ireland. The Israeli government has also recalled its ambassador to Norway and threatened to withdraw its ambassador from Spain after both countries joined Ireland in recognising Palestine.

Israel views these moves as a coordinated challenge to its legitimacy and a diplomatic setback in its broader foreign policy efforts.

In Ireland, officials see Ambassador Erlich’s recall as a way for Israel to signal its discontent while avoiding a complete suspension of diplomatic relations.

The move is regarded as a significant diplomatic protest but stops short of a complete diplomatic rupture between the two countries.

The already strained relations between Ireland and Israel have worsened since the conflict in Gaza escalated. The war, which has resulted in over 40,000 deaths, mostly civilians, has drawn strong international criticism, with Ireland taking one of the more vocal stances against Israel’s actions compared to other EU nations.

Earlier this year, the Irish Government called for a review of the EU’s trade deal with Israel, citing concerns over human rights violations.

Additionally, Ireland has joined South Africa in a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to determine if Israel’s actions in the occupied Palestinian territories constitute genocide, further straining bilateral ties.

Ireland’s stance has also impacted its defence and trade policies. Last month, Tánaiste Micheál Martin announced that Ireland would no longer award military contracts to Israeli arms companies.

Additionally, Taoiseach Simon Harris requested legal advice from the Attorney General on the EU-Israel trade deal following an ICJ ruling that deemed Israel’s presence in Palestinian territories illegal.

Despite pressure from certain political groups, the Irish Government has so far refused to expel Israel’s ambassador, citing the need to maintain diplomatic relations.

This decision reflects Ireland’s desire to keep dialogue open while expressing its disapproval of Israel’s policies in the occupied territories.

In response to Ireland’s actions, Israel has taken several retaliatory diplomatic steps. In May, the Irish Ambassador to Israel, Sonya McGuinness, was formally reprimanded by the Israeli Foreign Ministry.

During her summons, she was shown footage of the October 7th Hamas attacks, an act that Tánaiste Micheál Martin condemned as “totally unacceptable” and inappropriate for diplomatic engagement.

Israel has also halted facilitating visits by Irish diplomats to the West Bank and Gaza.

The embassy in Dublin criticised the rise in what it described as anti-Israel sentiment in Ireland, stating that this discourse has often mutated into anti-Semitism and the delegitimisation of Israel’s right to self-defence.