'Do not lecture us': Son of holocaust survivor criticises President Michael D Higgins

Oliver Sears, the son of a holocaust survivor and the founder of Holocaust Awareness Ireland. Picture: Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland

President Michael D Higgins has been sharply criticised by the son of a holocaust survivor for dismissing claims about rising antisemitism in Ireland.

The Israeli ambassador to Ireland Dana Erlich had warned about growing levels of antisemitism in Ireland but, in an interview with the Irish Examiner, President Higgins dismissed the comments as a "PR exercise" by an Israeli administration that is guilty of breaching international law in Gaza.

"I think the Israeli ambassador has been deliberately suggesting that all people of Jewish belief are now at risk and are being threatened and there is no evidence for this," President Higgins said.

"It is simply something that is a PR exercise by an administration that is guilty of continuing — not historic — continuing breaches of international law as is happening in relation to the events in Gaza."

He added: "It is absolutely outrageous to be abusing the Jewish community by saying that there is widespread antisemitism.

"The Irish people are not antisemitic, quite the opposite, for example the first President here, Douglas de hÍde, spoke Hebrew among the five languages that he spoke," he added.

"I don't think it is helpful if people representing the Jewish state seek to encourage fear where it doesn't exist by saying to people: 'All of us now and anyone of Jewish faith must feel afraid', that is grossly irresponsible."

However, Oliver Sears, the son of a holocaust survivor and the founder of Holocaust Awareness Ireland (HAI), has issued a scathing statement in response to President Higgins, describing the remarks as “gravely insensitive".

“I have lived in Ireland for almost 40 years," Mr Sears said. 

"I have not seen such a level of hostility towards Jews as I have experienced over the last seven months: antisemitism to my face, dismissiveness, Jewish students and staff deeply concerned on university campuses, an explosion of online abuse, graffiti, marches that include the flags of terrorist groups and where antisemitic chants can sometimes be heard, the media bias and the coarsened rhetoric from elected officials all contribute to a hostile reality for Irish Jews, and a deafening silence from many.” 

Mr Sears also accused the president of lecturing the Jewish community.

"President Higgins was informed recently by us at the HAI about the rising level of antisemitism in society."

He added: "He refers to people of Jewish belief and of Jewish faith. No. We are Jews. Some of us are religious, many others are secular or simply, culturally Jewish. Please understand that we are not monolithic but all share a very broad cultural link. 

"Do not lecture us on whether Ireland is antisemitic or if the level of antisemitism has risen. 

"Antisemitism is a gentile disease which targets all Jews, because they are Jews. We feel the effects most acutely. 

"As President of all Irish citizen, Michael D Higgins should reflect the sentiments of Jews when talking about antisemitism rather than expressing his own opinion which will always be of less value and ultimately do injustice to this tiny ethnic community.”