From shared insurgent history to diplomatic rupture: the complex Ireland-Israel relationship

Cultures · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Once linked by shared revolutionary tactics and constitutional protections for Jewish citizens, Ireland and Israel now face a profound diplomatic breakdown. As Ireland emerges as a leading European critic of Israeli policy, the closure of Israel's embassy in Dublin marks the latest chapter in a decades-long history of friction and ideological divergence.

The historical connection between the two nations is surprisingly rooted in 20th-century anti-colonial struggle. Zionist paramilitaries in Mandatory Palestine drew inspiration from the Irish Republican Army's tactics during the Irish War of Independence. Lehi leader Yitzhak Shamir even adopted the nickname 'Michael' in honor of IRA leader Michael Collins. Later, in 1937, Ireland solidified its domestic stance by enshrining constitutional protections for its Jewish community under Article 44, a move formally recognized by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

Diplomatic relations were only established in 1975, following years of Irish refusal due to concerns over UN resolutions. The relationship was frequently tested by Ireland's significant peacekeeping presence in Lebanon, where over 40,000 Irish troops served with UNIFIL between 1978 and 2000. Tensions flared repeatedly over the treatment of Irish forces, including the 1987 death of Corporal Dermot McLoughlin, who was killed by an Israeli tank shell. These military encounters, combined with Ireland's vocal opposition to the West Bank security wall and the blockade of Gaza, created a persistent diplomatic chill.

The relationship deteriorated sharply following the October 2023 Gaza war. Ireland became one of Europe's most outspoken critics, leading to the 2024 closure of the Israeli embassy in Dublin. By January 2025, Ireland announced its intention to join South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Despite these political clashes, the two nations maintain deep commercial ties, with bilateral trade in machinery, electronics, and medical equipment dating back to the early days of Israeli statehood.

The modern discourse is marked by intense accusations of bias. While Israeli officials have historically labeled Ireland as one of Europe's most hostile nations, surveys like the 2014 ADL Global 100 suggest that Irish attitudes toward Jewish people remain in the middle range for Western Europe. President Michael D. Higgins has rejected claims that criticism of Israeli policy equates to antisemitism, describing such accusations as a slander against Ireland.

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