'Gross defamation and slander' to call Irish 'anti-Semitic', says President

President Michael D Higgins has said that to say the Irish people are anti-Semitic is a "gross defamation and slander", and it is a "very serious business" to do so simply because people disagree with the actions of the Israeli Prime Minister.
President Higgins said that initially he put the comments, by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, down to a lack of experience, but later realised they were "part of a pattern to damage Ireland".
President Higgins made his remarks at a credential ceremony for the Ambassador of the State of Palestine Jilan Abdaljamid and Ambassador of Italy Nicola Faganello.
Yesterday, Mr Saar accused Taoiseach Simon Harris of anti-Semitism as he defended Israel's decision to close its embassy in Dublin over Ireland's policies.
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