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Irish president rejects call not to attend Holocaust event

PA Media Michael D Higgins wears a navy suit with a blue shirt and purple and navy tie. He stands at a brown plinth with a black mic attached to it. Behind him on the cream wall is a green white and purple flower arrangement that stretches horizontally across the whole frame.PA Media
The out-going Israeli ambassador called for Michael D Higgins not to attend the event.

The President of Ireland Michael D Higgins has rejected a call to withdraw from giving a speech at a Holocaust Memorial Day event.

This follows an interview in which the out-going Ambassador of Israel to Ireland called for Higgins not to attend the event.

Dana Erlich claimed Higgins had helped nurture an "anti-Israeli atmosphere" in Ireland.

A statement on behalf of the president said he had strongly condemned antisemitism, Islamophobia and all forms of racism "again and again" throughout his career.

Last month, Israel's foreign minister announced that the country's embassy in Dublin would close over "the extreme anti-Israel policies of the Irish government".

This followed the recognition of Palestine by Ireland, along with Norway and Spain, in May last year.

This will be the seventh time Higgins has accepted an invitation and spoken at the event organised by Holocaust Education Ireland, which takes place on 26 January.

'Distract from event'

PA Media Dana Erlich wears a black suit with skinny white pinstripes. She has on four gold chains around her neck and a black top underneath her suit. She has blonde hair and glasses. On her lapel is an Israel flag and Ireland flag. Behind her, out of focus, is a brown haired women with a black camera. PA Media
Dana Erlich claimed the Irish President helped to "foster antisemitism" in Ireland

Speaking to the Sunday Independent, Erlich said the president should reconsider speaking at next Sunday's event at the Mansion House in Dublin.

She said he has many opportunities to speak and echo his opinions, but that the National Holocaust Memorial Day should be "something solemn, focusing on Holocaust remembrance, Holocaust education, and preventing antisemitism from rising again".

Erlich also expressed concern that the president's speech would overshadow the event.

"The fact that we are not talking about the event, but we are talking about his presence. I think it distracts from the event."

Getty Images A grey brick building has steps leading up to a large blue door. It has seven windows on the first floor and six on the ground floor.Getty Images
The event will take place at The Mansion House in Dublin

The statement from Áras an Uachtaráin (the presidential residence) said: "President Higgins' statements will show, through his work in politics and as president, that he has again and again strongly condemned antisemitism, Islamophobia and all forms of racism."

The statement added that the president's previous comments included "the clear suggestion that any targeting of Jewish or Israeli people in Ireland is completely wrong and should be addressed immediately by the State and non-State actors".

Following the recent ceasefire deal between Israel and Gaza, the statement said that "the president has strongly expressed the hope that a hostage release and ceasefire agreement will bring the release of all hostages and an end to the horrific loss of life".

The memorial event will mark 80 years since the end of World War II and remember all those who perished in the Holocaust.