Fianna Fáil chooses not to invite Israeli ambassador to party ard fheis

The party did invite Dana Erlich to an event last November, a month after the October 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel

Fianna Fáil has not invited the Israeli ambassador to its ard fheis this weekend, the party has said.

The party did invite Dana Erlich to an event last November, a month after the October 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel, a decision which prompted some criticism by both TDs and the public.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the party said in light of the ongoing bombardment of Gaza and the unfolding and escalating humanitarian crisis, Ms Erlich would not be invited, nor would the Russian ambassador to Ireland.

“We do not believe it would be appropriate given the war on the people of Gaza and the war on Ukraine," the statement said. 

“Fianna Fáil has continuously condemned Hamas and its attack on the Israeli people on October 7. However, more than six months on, we truly believe that the ongoing response from Israel is completely disproportionate and the fact that aid is being held back while children and others die from famine cannot and will not be condoned.” 

In the Dáil on Thursday, Tánaiste Micheál Martin heard calls to expel Ms Erlich due to ongoing Israeli aggression in the enclave, but he said such calls were shortsighted.

He told People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith: "More than 70 Irish citizens and their dependants have been evacuated from Gaza. The importance of diplomatic relationships or channels cannot be overstated in the context of getting these 70 citizens and dependants out. 

"Our ambassador in Israel, Sonya McGuinness, has done exceptional work there, and it is likewise in respect of our representative to the Palestinian Authority, as well as the work of our ambassador in Cairo.

"The deputy's colleagues have pleaded with me to try to get more people out and to try to facilitate the evacuation of others out of Gaza. I have to realistically put it to the deputy that if her view had taken root much earlier and if we had expelled the ambassador from day one, then, in my view, those 70 people would not be out."

The statement comes ahead of a meeting in Dublin on Friday between Taoiseach Simon Harris and Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez, where the pair will discuss Ireland and Spain's plans to recognise the Palestinian state.