Israeli Defense Chief Calls to Shut Dublin Embassy Over Settlement Boycott Bill
'There's no talking with haters of Israel,' Lieberman tweets
Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said on Thursday that Israel should close its embassy in Dublin after the Irish Senate passed legislation a day earlier boycotting products from Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
"There's no point in summoning the Irish ambassador for a reprimand," Lieberman tweeted. "There's no talking with haters of Israel. Israel should immediately shut the embassy in Dublin. We will not turn the other check to those who boycott us."
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Ireland's Senate passed on Wednesday a bill to boycott products from West Bank settlements. The bill passed with 25 lawmakers voting in its favor, 20 against it and 14 abstaining. The legislation prohibits “the import and sales of goods, services and natural resources originating in illegal settlements in occupied territories.” The bill needs to pass both houses of parliament before becoming law.
The bill has passed thanks to votes from opposition legislators and independents. Senator Frances Black, the independent who sponsored the bill, recently posted a video urging the Irish to pressure their representatives to support it.