Another bellicose reaction from Israel

The language used in a debate can be as revealing as the core arguments advanced.

As every despot or junior counsel knows, an opportunity to muddy the waters can be invaluable. Confusion can be an ally.

That idea may be behind the response of Israel’s defence minister Avigdor Lieberman to the Seanad vote, despite Government opposition, supporting a bill proposing to ban goods from West Bank Jewish settlements.

Mr Lieberman, who was born in Moldova, said: “With Israel haters there is nothing to debate. Israel should immediately close the embassy in Dublin. We will not turn the other cheek to those who boycott us.”

He made his statement after Ireland’s ambassador to Israel Alison Kelly was summoned, for the third time this year, to face criticism over events involving Irish citizens perceived as anti-Israel.

It is remarkable that a country that has shown persistent indifference to international rulings, including some from the United Nations, that regard its ongoing “settlement” policy as illegal should be so agitated by a measure that can have only a modest impact.

This is another example of Israel’s bullying, bellicose reactions to perfectly legitimate objections to the country’s appalling treatment of some of its citizens.

Sadly, and in so many ways, Mr Lieberman’s anti-democratic response shows that all too often that Israel is its own worst enemy.

That country’s capacity to squander goodwill and friendship seems exceptional.