The message appears on several viral videos on Instagram or TikTok. “Ireland expels Israeli ambassador”, sometimes accompanied by another sentence claiming that the country has also filed a complaint with an “International Court of Human Rights” (which does not exist). In the comments, Internet users welcome this decision: “Ireland, the only country to do what others are afraid of”. This is however not the case.
Indeed, the video used to illustrate these remarks is that of a speech given by an Irish personality, who called for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador. But she doesn’t run the country. This is Mary Lou McDonald, leader of the left-wing opposition party, Sinn Fein. She spoke during an internal event where the future of the party was debated. In this general policy speech delivered on November 11 and which can be found on Sinn Fein YouTube channelshe discusses many subjects, including the situation in Palestine (from 32 min).
A speech from the leader of the opposition
Denouncing “war crimes” in Gaza and pleading for a ceasefire, she calls on the Irish government to take the lead, to “refer Israel to the International Criminal Court and expel the Israeli ambassador”. These two proposals were brought by Sinn Fein and the Social Democrats to the Irish parliament, reported The Irish Examiner November 15. But the motions were not adopted due to opposing amendments tabled by the center-right government.
Justice Minister James Browne said Ireland had “clearly called” on all parties to respect international law, but explained that the expulsion of Israel’s ambassador, Dana Erlich, would push the country “on the periphery of the international community,” says the daily. The referral of the case to the ICC would not succeed, the minister also argued, because an investigation is underway [ouverte en 2021].
Contacted, the Irish Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms that the Israeli ambassador has not been expelled. “The Irish government believes that it is essential to maintain diplomatic channels of communication, including in times of conflict or tension”, underlines with 20 minutesa ministry spokesperson.