Deputy PM stands by Irish position on Gaza war after Israel closes embassy

Micheál Martin says support for court petition accusing Israel of genocide is driven by respect for humanitarian law

Ireland’s position on the war in Gaza “should not be seen as a hostile act”, the Irish deputy prime minister, Micheál Martin, has saidafter Israel decided to close its embassy in Dublin.

Israel ordered the closure on Sunday, citing Ireland’s decision last week to support a petition at the international court of justice accusing Israel of genocide. The Israeli foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, said the move was prompted by the Irish government’s “extreme anti-Israeli policies”.