Mon Sep 23 20:41:24 UTC 2024: ## Irish President Slams Israeli Embassy for “Improper” Criticism of Letter to Iran
**New York, USA** – Irish President Michael D. Higgins has strongly condemned the Israeli embassy in Dublin for publicly criticizing his letter of congratulation to the new Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian. Speaking at a press conference during the United Nations General Assembly, Higgins called the embassy’s comments “improper” and “unusual” in diplomatic circles.
Higgins’ letter, which was sent following the death of former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, was seen by some as a sign of support for the new Iranian leadership. The Israeli embassy, however, criticized the letter, claiming it sent the wrong message to Iranians living under a “brutal regime.”
The President, in a fiery response, denied leaking the letter to the press and insisted that it was the Israeli embassy that circulated it to create negative publicity. He asserted that the letter was a standard courtesy letter sent to all heads of state and that its content was largely dictated by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs.
Higgins’ statement was met with criticism from Holocaust Awareness Ireland founder, Oliver Sears, who called the President’s claim “demonizing” and feeding into “antisemitic tropes.”
The Israeli embassy has firmly rejected Higgins’ accusations, calling them “baseless, inflammatory, and potentially slanderous.” The embassy maintained that it was the President’s responsibility to defend the content of his letter, which it claims ignored Iran’s threat to Israel and its support for terrorist organizations.
This latest diplomatic spat comes after a period of strained relations between Ireland and Israel. In May, Israel recalled its ambassador to Ireland, Dana Erlich, in response to Ireland’s recognition of a Palestinian state. The ambassador has yet to return to Ireland, with the embassy stating that her return will depend on a “more friendly” environment.
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