Irish Jews upset as Ireland's president set to give Holocaust Memorial Day speech

A number of Jewish leaders in Ireland have expressed concern over a recent decision by the Holocaust Education Trust to invite Ireland's President, Michael Higgins, to speak at an International Holocaust Remembrance Day event.

The concern was sparked by Higgins’ criticisms of Israel and views on antisemitism.

“President Higgins has neglected even to acknowledge the scourge of contemporary antisemitism in Ireland, let alone do anything to address it,” said Ireland’s Chief Rabbi Yoni Wieder.

“I fear his address marking Holocaust Memorial Day will ring hollow for many Irish Jews,” Wieder added.

Oliver Sears, president of Holocaust Awareness Ireland, made a similar statement.

“Given President Higgins’ grave insensitivity to Irish Jews, we are deeply disturbed that he will yet again cause further insult,” he said.

Higgins, who has repeatedly criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza, has defended himself against accusations of antisemitism.

“I think to suggest that because one criticizes Prime Minister Netanyahu, that one is antisemitic, is such a gross defamation and slander,” Higgins said according to the Jerusalem Post.

“Over the years, I think it is the Irish psyche that we understand the words ‘dispossession,’ ‘occupation,’ and so on,” he stated. “That’s why we stress the importance of international law…particularly in relation to the rights obligations of those who are in occupation on what is occupied territory.”

In December, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar called Higgins “an antisemitic liar” after Higgins claimed Netanyahu “has breached the sovereignty of three of his neighbors,” and “would like in fact to have a settlement in Egypt.”

Ireland's parliament has officially labeled Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide,” and Israel removed its ambassador to Ireland in May of last year after the country officially recognized Palestinian statehood.