Social Democrats Leader Holly Cairns has rejected accusations of discrimination made by the Israeli ambassador against the party.
Dana Erlich criticised the Social Democrats after it deselected local candidate Orli Degani, who is a German-born Jewish woman with Israeli citizenship.
Ms Cairns said Ms Degani was deselected “after a number of failed attempts to resolve issues”.
“Those efforts extended to hiring an external mediator as well as an internal review by our National Executive,” she said.
“There was nothing discriminatory, or unfair, about the process.”
'Deflect from bigger issue'
The party leader said Ms Erlich is accusing the Social Democrats of discrimination “to deflect from the bigger, and much more important, issue”.
“More than 34,000 people now killed in Gaza by the Israeli government,” she said. “Included in this number are more than 14,000 dead children.
“It is outrageous that the Israeli ambassador remains a diplomat in this country, continuing to act as an apologist for war crimes being inflicted on an innocent and captive population in Gaza.
“There must be an immediate ceasefire; the hostages must be returned; there must be accountability for war crimes; and there must be economic and diplomatic sanctions on Israel.”
'Discrimination' from Social Democrats
Ms Degani said she is seeking legal advice and claimed she was deselected after she raised concerns of the local Jewish community with the Social Democrats.
Ms Erlich told the Irish Independent it “appears” Ms Degani was “discriminated against”.
“Unfortunately, she is one of a growing number in the Jewish and Israeli community here who increasingly feel targeted by an atmosphere of anti-Israel sentiment,” she said.
“Criticism of Israeli policy is legitimate and democratic but attempts to delegitimise all Israeli people is not.”
In November 2023, the Social Democrats tabled a motion to expel the Israeli ambassafor from Ireland “given the failure of the Israeli state to cease the deliberate targeting of civilians, journalists, UN staff and healthcare workers”.
The motion failed with 55 votes in favour and 85 votes against.
