President says it was ‘improper’ for Israel to comment on letter to Iran

President Michael D Higgins added it was 'very unfair' to say he had been critical of the Jewish community, saying he had 'the utmost respect' for Jewish people

President Higgins during media briefings before departing for the Irish Arts Centre in Hells Kitchen Manhattan, New York, to be presented with the Eugene O’ Neill International Public Service Award by the Irish Artists and Writers Association. Picture: Maxwell’s

It was "improper" for Israel to comment on a letter written to the Iranian regime, President Michael D Higgins has said, adding he did not regret his comments on the letter.

During a tense press conference during which he attempted to draw a line under the controversy sparked by his assertion on Sunday the Israeli Eembassy had circulated a letter he wrote to Masoud Pezeshkian following his appointment as president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr Higgins said  the letter was normal procedure.