Relationship dossier
Ireland
Israel
Relationship assessment
Bilateral ties persist amid serious disagreement over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Ireland toward Israel
-40The Irish government recognized the State of Palestine in May 2024 and announced in December 2024 that Ireland would intervene in South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. These positions have contributed to political friction with Israel.
Israel toward Ireland
-40Israel recalled its ambassador from Ireland in May 2024 after Ireland announced it would recognize the State of Palestine. The action reflected a sharp response to Irish government policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Overall relationship
-30The relationship combines continuing diplomatic and economic links with recurring political disputes over Israel and the Palestinians. Ireland’s recognition of Palestine and planned intervention in the International Court of Justice case, followed by Israel’s recall of its ambassador, represent a significant deterioration in political relations without ending the bilateral relationship.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Ireland and Israel maintain diplomatic and economic links, but relations have been marked by recurring disagreement over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Ireland recognized the State of Palestine in 2024 and announced plans to intervene in South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Israel recalled its ambassador from Ireland in response to Ireland’s recognition of Palestine. These actions reflect substantial political friction alongside continuing bilateral ties.
Areas of tension
- Ireland’s recognition of the State of Palestine and Israel’s response.
- Ireland’s announced intervention in South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
Key developments
Israel recalled its ambassador from Ireland after Ireland announced recognition of the State of Palestine.
Ireland formally recognized the State of Palestine.
Ireland announced plans to intervene in South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
Major uncertainties
- The scope and implementation of bilateral economic and diplomatic cooperation are unclear.
- The longer-term effects of Ireland’s 2024 policy actions and Israel’s ambassadorial response are uncertain.