It comes amid claims in Israeli media that Ireland is antisemitic.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin has refused to answer questions as to whether former Taoiseach Éamon de Valera was wrong to have expressed condolences regarding the death of Adolf Hitler.
Earlier this week, the Tánaiste began a trip that will see him travel to Israel, the occupied Palestinian territory and Jordan.
During these visits, it is said that Martin will engage in a series of high-level political meetings, as well as meet with UN and civil society partners providing support to people in the region.
The trip comes amid reports that the Israeli government and sections of the country’s public see Ireland as one of the most hostile countries in the European Union towards Israel.
This is down to Ireland’s condemnation of Israel’s treatment of Palestine.
There have also been claims in Israeli media that Ireland is antisemitic, with an opinion piece published last year in the Jerusalem Post titled ‘Why does Ireland hate Israel?’ highlighting how de Valera offered condolences to Germany following the death of Hitler in 1945.
Micheál Martin on Éamon de Valera
Having visited Yad Vashem – the world Holocaust remembrance centre – during his trip, Martin was asked by The Business Post if he felt it was wrong of de Valera to have done this.
In response, he told reporters that he does not think there is a connection between claims that Ireland is antisemitic and de Valera’s expression of condolences at the end of World War II.
The Tánaiste said: “In fact, in Irish-Jewish tradition, Eamon de Valera is very well respected because of his inclusion of the Jewish general faith in our constitution. That was again very evident in our meeting with the Irish-Jewish diaspora here in Jerusalem.”
Martin also highlighted Ireland’s strong record internationally in regards to the remembrance of the Holocaust and how the Irish government’s national anti-racism action plan references antisemitism specifically.
Questioned again for his opinion on de Valera’s offering of condolences to Hitler, given it being discussed in Israeli media, the Tánaiste replied:
“The fact that it is raised doesn’t justify it or doesn’t make it right. I think it’s a very false connection and very shallow one in terms of substance. Successive Irish governments have made it very clear our absolute disdain and opposition to antisemitism.”
Asked a third time about the matter, Martin said: “To be frank, I don’t want to associate that with the whole agenda of antisemitism, I think its unfair.”
Ahead of his trip to the Middle East, Martin said the following in a statement on the Irish government’s website:
“This visit is an important opportunity to see the political, security and human rights situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.
“There has been a worrying escalation in violence over recent months. Ireland has been consistent in its calls for the protection of civilians and the application of international law.
“This visit will allow the opportunity to discuss directly these issues with political leaders, as well as with Ireland’s civil society partners.”
The Tánaiste arrived in Israel on Monday evening and will depart from Jordan on Friday.
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