A Chanukkah message tweeted on Monday by the US envoy to Israel drew a critical response from Ireland’s top diplomat.
Ambassador David Friedman wrote, “More than 2000 years ago, Jewish patriots (Maccabees) captured Jerusalem, purified the Holy Temple and rededicated it as a house of Jewish worship. The U.N. cant vote away the facts: Jerusalem is the ancient and modern capital of Israel. Happy Chanukah from this blessed city!”
In response, Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney tweeted,
“U are working on a New Peace Initiative that we all hope will be fair, balanced and successful. But comments like this will be seen as provocative and biased. Not helpful in creating the necessary environment of compromise. @UN @UNRWA”