The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs has urged Irish people not to view Israel only in the context of the Palestinian question.
Speaking at the opening of the annual Israeli Film Days in Dublin last week, which ran from Thursday 24 to Sunday 27 November at Filmbase in Temple Bar, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said: “There are those in Ireland who view Israel exclusively through the lens of the situation of the Palestinian people and their right to a viable, sovereign, independent state.
“Some of them are demonstrating outside this theatre as I speak,” he added, “and they are fully entitled to do so in a peaceful fashion. Indeed, I do not hide that the Irish Government is also in open disagreement with many aspects of Israeli policy towards the occupied Palestinian territories.”
However, the Tánaiste said that guests at the gala night appreciate that Israel and Israelis can be viewed “through many different lenses which give us different insights into the rich and varied culture of a people who draw inspiration from the ancient and the modern”.
He also said the Israeli Film Days would mirror the annual Irish Film Week in Tel Aviv.
Israeli Ambassador to Ireland Boaz Modai explained that the purpose of the showcase was to create awareness of best Israeli films in Ireland as well as to “promote a better understanding of real life in Israel” beyond what is in the media.
During his speech, Ambassador Modai was heckled a number of times by pro-Palestinian protestors who were removed from the venue.
