Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tánaiste Micheál Martin have spoken out strongly in support of President Michael D Higgins in his dispute with the Israeli embassy in Dublin over a letter that the president had sent to the newly elected president of Iran.
Speaking during a news conference at the United Nations in New York, President Higgins said that he had written to Masoud Pezeshkian as a new head of state and alleged the Israeli embassy had circulated the letter.
Responding, the embassy said the allegations were "highly inflammatory and potentially slanderous" and rejected them "completely".
It criticised President Higgins for writing the letter, referencing the "threat" that Israel poses in the Middle East and its human rights record.
"It is the burden of the author to defend its content, which did not mention the threat Iran poses in the region, that it calls for Israel's destruction, that it arms and funds terrorist organisations like Hamas and Hezbollah, not to mention the violations of human rights against its own citizens," the statement added.
Taoiseach, Tánaiste defend Higgins' letter to Iran leader
The Taoiseach and Tánaiste have both spoken out strongly in support of President Michael D Higgins in his dispute with the Israeli embassy in Dublin over a letter that the president had sent to the newly elected president of Iran.
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