Israeli diplomat deletes tweet claiming Ireland funded Hamas tunnels in Gaza

James Cox

The Israeli embassy has admitted a tweet by one of its senior diplomats was "wrong" after she claimed Ireland was funding tunnels under Gaza that are used by Hamas.

Adi Ophir Maoz, the deputy head of mission for the Israeli Embassy in Ireland, made the claim on X, formerly Twitter.

Ms Maoz wrote: “Ireland wondering who funded those tunnels of terror? A short investigation direction – 1. Find a mirror. 2. Direct it to yourself. 3. Voilà.”

A spokesperson for the Israeli embassy said that the tweet has since been deleted because it “does not represent the official position of Israel or the Embassy”.

“The tweet was in reference to the ample evidence that Hamas, which controls Gaza, abuses international humanitarian aid that is sent to Gaza,” the spokesperson said.

“However since the text and wording were wrong, it was deleted.”

This comes after Israeli ambassador Dana Erlich accused President Michael D Higgins of spreading misinformation.

Ms Erlich told the Sunday Independent at the weekend that she was frustrated at what she said was “misinformation” shared by President Michael D Higgins in relation to whether Israel had breached international law.

Ms Erlich also said that Ireland was not a neutral country in relation to Israel-Palestine.

Minister for Enterprise Simon Coveney, who is a former foreign affairs minister, said the ambassador's comments were "not helpful".

He told RTÉ radio: “I don’t think that’s helpful.

“President Michael D Higgins is somebody who for many years has taken an interest in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“He, like many others in Ireland, is deeply concerned about what is currently unfolding in Gaza. I don’t think it’s helpful when an ambassador starts to make pointed comments in relation to our President.

“I think Michael D Higgins has reflected the view of many in Ireland.

“The Government’s position on this is that we unreservedly condemn the atrocity that Hamas is responsible for in terms of the killing of 1,400 innocent Israelis.

“But we are also deeply concerned about what continues to unfold in terms of human suffering in Gaza.

“We want a ceasefire, and we want humanitarian aid corridors open, and Ireland will continue to advocate for that at a European level and at a UN level.”