Israeli ambassador says her country is being ‘discriminated against’ after Fianna Fáil ard fheis snub

Fianna Fáil said it does not believe it would be “appropriate” to invite the ambassador. In a statement, the party said it has continuously condemned Hamas and its attack on the Israeli people on October 7, but the ongoing response from Israel is “completely disproportionate”.

The Israeli and Russian ambassadors have not been invited to the party ard fheis this weekend.

In response, Israeli ambassador Dana Erlich said the embassy was “disappointed” to see the statement issued by Fianna Fáil and that it is “concerning that Israel is being discriminated against and excluded, in a country claiming to be neutral”.

In a statement issued on social media, Fianna Fáil said it does not believe it would be “appropriate given the war on the people of Gaza and the war on Ukraine” to invite the Israeli and Russian ambassadors to the ard fheis.

"Fianna Fáil has continuously condemned Hamas and its attack on the Israeli people on October 7,” it said.

"However, more than six months on, we truly believe that the ongoing response from Israel is completely disproportionate and the fact that aid is being held back while children and others die from famine cannot and will not be condoned.”

Fianna Fáil was criticised by some for inviting Israeli ambassador Dana Erlich to its party conference last November.

Mr Erlich told the Irish Independent that the embassy was “disappointed” to see the statement made by Fianna Fáil earlier today.

"We were disappointed to see the statement, since there was no attempt to reach out or discuss any issues with us beforehand,” Ms Erlich said.

"We regularly brief officials here, as we firmly believe in dialogue and diplomacy. Apart from public statements, ensuring frequent channels of communication has and continues to be important to our bilateral relationship.

"I stand ready to meet the Taoiseach and Tánaiste at any time.”

Ms Erlich said Israel is the “only democracy in the region” and is largely surrounded by “hostile states, some of which wish for and work for the destruction of Israel, as do terror organisations like Hamas and Hezbollah”.

"My country is fighting for survival. It is concerning that Israel is being discriminated against and excluded, in a country claiming to be neutral. The people of Israel are eager for this war to end. Israel did not start this war, nor did it want it.

"It can only end when our kidnapped are returned home, and Hamas can never again be able to threaten the security of Israel. Hamas should and must be held accountable for the abuse of its population as human shields and for using the civilian infrastructure of Gaza as bases for terror activities.

"It is important to recognise that Hamas does not seek coexistence or peace, but rather the total destruction of Israel, at any cost. As such, Hamas cannot be part of a future solution.”

It follows a decision made by Fine Gael to also not invite the Israeli ambassador to their own ard fheis in Galway last week, where party leader Simon Harris told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the Irish people are “repulsed” by his actions in Gaza.

In his speech, Mr Harris described the situation in Gaza as a “humanitarian catastrophe”, adding that the threat of famine is a “spectre no Irish person can bear”.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu, the Irish people could not be clearer. We are repulsed by your actions. Cease fire now and let the aid flow safely.”

Fine Gael said it believed it was “not appropriate” to extend an invitation to a representative of the Israeli government “due to the immense and increasing suffering of civilians in Gaza”.

Israeli ambassador Dana Erlich told the Irish Independent last weekend that the Israeli embassy “note carefully” Mr Harris’s comments and congratulated him on his appointment.

She said that “clear and frequent channels of communication have and continue to be important to our bilateral relationship”.

Ms Erlich added: “War is a terrible thing. The people of Israel are eager for this war to end. Israel did not start this war, nor did it want it.

“It can only end when our kidnapped are returned home, and Hamas can never again be able to threaten the security of Israel, or continue to abuse its population as human shields and use the civilian infrastructure as bases for terror activities.”

Ms Erlich said Israel hopes the Irish Government “will publicly hold Hamas accountable for their crimes and atrocities, and pressure them to release the kidnapped and stop abusing their population” and that Hamas cannot be part of a future solution.