Pro-Palestinian activists from the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (stock image) (Image: Artur Widak/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock)
An opinion column in the influential Wall Street Journal claimed that Ireland is a “wounded tiger” along with accusations that the country is antisemitic.
Even more damaging and a potential threat to the tourist industry is the claim that mass immigration has led to a rise in violent crime and an increase in sexual assaults.
It also accused government ministers of “poor leadership” and claimed that the “political class” has failed to plan for the future.
The article in the newspaper which is widely read by most of America’s decision makers warns that with President Trump’s plans to cut corporation taxes will mean there are “lean years” ahead for Ireland.
It also highlights the recent proposal by members of Dublin City Council to rename Hertzog Park, Free Palestine Park as evidence of antisemitism.
The column, by historian Dr Dominic Green, claims Ireland suffers from what he calls economic fragility through its overdependence on a handful of multinational corporations for much of its corporate tax take.
But the most damaging claim made is that official Ireland has a “gratuitous loathing” of Israel which has alienated many US Republicans.
It also warns that if the Occupied Territories Bill is passed it could trigger a 1986 US law penalising American companies and individuals who operate in a state that has imposed an unsanctioned international boycott.
Dan O’Brien, who is the chief economist at the Institute of International and European Affairs has warned that the recent anti-Israel protests could have economic consequences.
In a post on X he stated: “Irish politicians don’t seem to understand that a North Atlantic island obsessing about the only Jewish state in (the) world located far away might just result in others considering antisemitism as a motive.”
The article also maintains that Ireland is in the midst of an emigration crisis and that the government is refusing to listen to the concerns of its own citizens.
It states: “Irish society now has 22.6% foreign born residents – more than twice the EU average.
“The results include a surge in violent crime, sexual assaults, street protests, populist agitation, rumblings of nationalist paramilitary activity and the unprecedented sight of Catholics uniting with Northern Ireland Protestants in anti-immigration protests.”
It adds that Ireland’s political class “demonises democratic complaint and dismisses public opinion” and while there is also a clampdown on free speech.
It finished by stating that to remain free the Irish people will once again have to assert their independence, “this time from their own leaders”.
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