Ireland’s Chief Rabbi, Yoni Wieder, voiced strong objections after security personnel forcibly removed Jewish attendees from a Holocaust memorial ceremony on Sunday.
The event, held to mark International Holocaust Memorial Day, featured a speech from Irish President Michael Higgins, who chose to focus on Israel’s response to the October 7 Hamas atrocities. Some Jewish participants quietly turned their backs during Higgins’s address, only to be escorted out, which Wieder condemned as “shameful.” reports YNetNews.
Wieder emphasised that the occasion should have honoured those who suffered under Nazi persecution rather than spotlight political debate. “It was distressing to see peaceful protesters ejected,” he said. “Meanwhile, pro-Hamas and pro-Hezbollah supporters feel free to march on Ireland’s streets with minimal restriction. Where is the consistency?”
During his address, Higgins stressed the need to learn from historical tragedies and called for an end to the ongoing violence. “The grief caused to families by the horrific acts of October 7, and the response to them, is unimaginable,” he said. “The current agreement must end the killing and urgently provide a massive increase in humanitarian aid to save more lives.” Higgins also underscored the importance of releasing all hostages and fully implementing every stage of any existing agreement.
Rabbi Wieder warned that politicising a solemn ceremony risked trivialising the memory of Holocaust victims. He urged Ireland’s leaders and citizens alike to preserve the dignity of International Holocaust Memorial Day, insisting that no group—particularly those directly affected by antisemitism—should be silenced during such commemorations.
Photo credit: Brian Lawless/PA
More News
