Israel has announced that it will close its embassy in Ireland due to the Irish government's 'extreme anti-Israel policy'. The Israeli Foreign Minister, Yair Lapid, accused Ireland of 'delegitimization, demonization, and double standards' towards Israel, as well as 'anti-Semitic actions and rhetoric'. Lapid stated that Ireland has 'crossed all red lines' in its relationship with Israel, and Israel will redirect its resources to countries that are willing to strengthen their ties with Israel. The move is a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between the two countries. Ireland's Prime Minister, Micheál Martin, expressed regret over the decision, saying it is a 'sad day for relations between our two countries'. The closure of the embassy is a blow to Irish-Israeli relations, which have been strained in recent years over issues such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and human rights concerns. The decision is also a testament to the growing tensions between Israel and the European Union, which has been critical of Israeli settlement expansion and human rights abuses in the occupied territories. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this move will impact relations between Israel and Ireland, as well as the wider Middle East peace process.