Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday hosted in Jerusalem Irish Tánaiste and Foreign and Defense Minister Micheál Martin. The two discussed regional issues, including the Abraham Accords and their expansion, as well as the security challenges facing Israel.
Netanyahu emphasized the need for a balanced approach toward the conflict with the Palestinians, including in international forums such as the United Nations.
The leaders also discussed the potential for strengthening bilateral cooperation in technology and innovation, especially artificial intelligence.
Among those attending the meeting were Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, National Security Council Director Tzachi Hanegbi and Israel’s Ambassador to Ireland Lironne Bar Sadeh.
Irish Ambassador to Israel Kyle O’Sullivan also attended.
Martin also met with his Israeli counterpart Eli Cohen, and laid a wreath at the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial.
He called the Nazi era “the darkest period in human history.”
Tanaiste, Foreign and Defence Minister Micheal Martin @MichealMartinTD meets #Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen @elicoh1 ahead of talks to strengthen relations between Ireland and Israel @IsraelMFA @dfatirl @rtenews @PatLeahyIT @Independent_ie @thejournal_ie @NewstalkFM https://t.co/zvXvaoGgbs
— Israel in Ireland (@IsraelinIreland) September 5, 2023
Honoured, humbled and moved to be at Yad Vashem in Israel today.
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) September 5, 2023
It is very important we never forget what happened during the Holocaust, or the enduring lessons learned through the darkest period of human history. pic.twitter.com/8ZakYC1JBk
Jerusalem and Dublin have had a rocky relationship in recent times, with senior Irish officials often expressing staunchly pro-Palestinian positions.
