In a one-page letter last July, President Michael D Higgins congratulated Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on his election, sparking a diplomatic feud between Ireland and Israel. While the Irish Government defended the letter as following diplomatic procedure, critics, including the Israeli embassy, condemned it for not addressing Iran’s human rights violations and support for terrorist groups.
The conflict escalated when President Higgins accused the Israeli embassy of distributing his letter, a claim the embassy denied. Taoiseach Simon Harris defended the President, criticizing Israel’s actions in Gaza.
While the row over the letter may have ended, tensions between Ireland and Israel remain high since Ireland recognized Palestine last May. The relationship is strained, with little hope for improvement unless Israel’s actions in Gaza and Lebanon change.