What to Know About Antisemitism and Anti-Israel Hate in Ireland
As the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, American Jewish Committee (AJC) has long stood with Ireland’s small but proud Jewish community, which has faced a surge in antisemitism since Hamas’ October 7, 2023 massacre.
When Dublin officials moved to strip the name of Chaim Herzog—Israel’s Irish-born sixth president—from a community park, it wasn't just a local dispute. It was an act of erasure. In this emotional episode, Dr. Alexandra Herzog, AJC’s Director of the William Petschek Global Jewish Communities Department, explains why this attempt to rewrite history should alarm not only Jews.
The proposal that Dublin City Council rename Herzog Park – honoring my grandfather, Chaim Herzog, sixth president of Israel and a proud Irish man – and to consider renaming it “Free Palestine Park” is not a gesture of solidarity. It is an act of erasure.
American Jewish Committee (AJC) welcomes the move by the Dublin City Council to withdraw a proposal to rename Herzog Park, which honors Chaim Herzog, the sixth president of Israel and a proud son of Ireland.
In late 2024, Israel closed its embassy in Dublin, accusing the Irish government of extreme anti-Israel policies, antisemitic rhetoric, and double standards. Meanwhile, the small Jewish community in Ireland, numbering nearly 3,000, has faced antisemitism in the streets. AJC’s Director of International Jewish Affairs, Rabbi Andrew Baker, joins us to discuss his recent meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, examples of antisemitic activity in Ireland, including Holocaust inversion and the chilling impact of widespread anti-Israel sentiment on Irish Jews.
Today, American Jewish Committee (AJC) Director of International Jewish Affairs Rabbi Andrew Baker met with Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheál Martin during his official visit to Washington to directly address concerns about antisemitism and the demonization of Israel in Ireland, seen as one of the most problematic countries in Europe. AJC, the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, has been in close touch with Ireland’s Jewish community as the situation has worsened following Hamas’ brutal attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. ADL Senior Vice President for International Affairs, Ambassador Marina Rosenberg, also participated in the meeting.
