Taoiseach's Auschwitz visit ‘important’ amid accusations of antisemitism in Ireland

By Cillian Sherlock, PA

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said it was important he attended a Holocaust commemoration at Auschwitz because of “false accusations about antisemitism in Ireland”.

Mr Martin joined other world leaders in Poland at a ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the former Nazi death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau for International Holocaust Remembrance Day last month.

The Taoiseach was tánaiste and minister for foreign affairs when Ireland joined Spain and Norway to recognise Palestinian statehood last year.

Mr Martin has also previously accused Israel of committing war crimes in Gaza, adding: “It’s a collective punishment of the people. They are war crimes. It’s genocidal.”

Senior figures in Israel’s government have accused Irish political leaders of encouraging antisemitism, with the Israeli embassy in Dublin also announcing last year that it would close.

Israeli politicians have also criticised Ireland’s decision to intervene in South Africa’s case against Israel, with Dublin asking the International Court of Justice to broaden its interpretation of what constitutes genocide.

In addition, Israel foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar called Mr Martin’s predecessor, Simon Harris, “antisemitic”. Mr Harris, who now serves as Tánaiste as part of coalition arrangements with Mr Martin, has rejected the characterisation.

Speaking on Sunday, Mr Martin said it was “important” for Ireland to be represented at the Auschwitz event.

He was responding to a question on RTÉ radio about why the Dáil was in recess following Storm Éowyn.

The Dáil did not sit for more than a week following Mr Martin’s appointment as Taoiseach, during which the severe weather event occurred.

Mr Martin said: “I went to Auschwitz. That’s where I was on the Monday [January 27th], in terms of the commemoration of the horrors of Auschwitz.

“I think it was important for Ireland to be represented there given a lot of false accusations about antisemitism in Ireland and so forth.

“The Holocaust was an appalling, as we know, atrocity committed against the Jewish people worldwide.”

Mr Martin added: “It was important for Ireland to be there.

“I was actually very anxious that government talks would be completed to enable me to attend the Auschwitz ceremony, particularly when there are fewer and fewer survivors of that horror alive.”

Mr Martin said his attendance did not stop Government from being “engaged” in storm recovery efforts.