LONDON: Ireland’s leader has said his country will “not be silenced” in its criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza after Tel Aviv closed its Dublin embassy.

Taoiseach Simon Harris accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “the diplomacy of distraction,” and said Ireland had unequivocally supported Israel’s right to defend itself.

But Harris leveled strong criticism of Israel’s conduct in Gaza, and said he is proud of Ireland’s support for the Palestinians.

“You know what I think is reprehensible? Killing children, I think that’s reprehensible,” he told reporters. “You know what I think is reprehensible? Seeing the scale of civilian deaths that we’ve seen in Gaza.

“You know what I think is reprehensible? People being left to starve and humanitarian aid not flowing.”

The embassy closure followed Ireland’s decision last week to support an International Court of Justice petition accusing Israel of genocide.

Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin said the decision had “not been motivated by anything other than respect for international humanitarian law.”

He added: “The utilisation of the international courts by Ireland … where there can be international accountability for war crimes in any part of the world, including in Gaza, should not be seen as a hostile act.”