The Irish police, the Gardaí, are conducting an investigation into vandalism after Iveagh House in Dublin, which serves as the Department of Foreign Affairs’ base, was defaced with graffiti related to protests against Gaza. The phrase “Gaza BDS now” appeared in bright red paint on the building on a recent Saturday morning. BDS stands for the global Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement initiated by proponents of the Palestinian cause to protest against Israel.
This isn’t the first act of protest against Iveagh House. During a rally for Palestine in November of the previous year, red paint was hurled at the edifice. Micheál Martin, the Tánaiste, condemned the event and underscored the involvement of Irish diplomats in the ongoing Middle Eastern crisis.
The latest episode transpired as Taoiseach Simon Harris penned a letter to the Attorney General seeking renewed legal counsel around the trade treaty between the EU and Israel, with a possibility of suspending the agreement. In earlier months, Mr. Harris in conjunction with Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, implored Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, to scrutinise if Tel Aviv was violating the EU-Israel Association Agreement. This is in light of the civilian fatalities in Gaza, as the agreement is contingent on upholding human rights.
International relations took a further step when, earlier this week, Mr. Martin announced that Ireland will be putting an end to all purchases of Israeli military equipment, with current contracts also coming under review. This action establishes Ireland as the first EU nation to stop defence acquisitions from Israel since the conflict erupted nearly a year ago.
A Palestine solidarity march, set to commence from the Garden of Remembrance and conclude at the Dáil, was scheduled for Saturday afternoon in Dublin city.
The Gardaí confirmed they are investigating a case of criminal damage at Iveagh House which transpired on the night of Friday, 30th August, 2024. Reports of the damage were received and officers attended the location at St Stephen’s Green. The investigation continues to be in progress.
An attempt was made to obtain a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs.