Ireland's Tánaiste, Simon Harris, has declared himself "completely opposed" to a controversial proposal to rename a Dublin park currently named after a former President of Israel.
Diplomatic Concern Over Renaming Proposal
The Office of the President of Israel expressed significant concern on Saturday over the planned vote to change the name of Herzog Park in south Dublin. The park is named in honour of Chaim Herzog, who was born in Belfast and raised in Dublin before serving as Israel's sixth president from 1983 to 1993.
Dublin city councillors are scheduled to vote on the renaming motion on Monday, a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from both Israeli officials and senior Irish government figures.
Legacy and Historical Ties at Stake
In a strongly-worded statement on X, the office of current Israeli President Isaac Herzog—Chaim Herzog's son—described the potential renaming as a "shameful and disgraceful move." The statement emphasised Chaim Herzog's legacy as a "hero of the campaign to liberate Europe from the Nazis" and a figure dedicated to "freedom, tolerance, the pursuit of peace and the fight against antisemitism."
The Israeli presidency's office highlighted the deep historical connections between Ireland and its Jewish community, noting that Chaim Herzog's father, Rabbi Isaac HaLevi Herzog, served as the first chief rabbi of the Irish Free State. They argued that naming the park after his son three decades ago represented appreciation for this legacy and the "deep friendship between the Irish and Jewish peoples."
The statement acknowledged that bilateral relations had "deteriorated in recent years" but expressed hope for their recovery, insisting the Herzog name deserved respect.
Irish Government's Firm Stance
Weighing in on the controversy, Tánaiste Simon Harris stated in a social media post: "I completely oppose plans to rename Herzog Park. It is wrong. We are an inclusive Republic. This proposal is offensive to that principle." He urged all party leaders to join him in opposing the motion.
Ireland's Foreign Affairs Minister, Helen McEntee, reinforced this position, describing Chaim Herzog as an important figure "particularly for members of Ireland's Jewish community." She drew a clear distinction between criticism of the Israeli government's policies and the park's renaming.
"The Government has been openly critical of the policies and actions of the government of Israel in Gaza and the West Bank, and rightly so," Ms McEntee said. "Renaming a Dublin park in this way – to remove the name of an Irish Jewish man – has nothing to do with this and has no place in our inclusive republic. In my view this name change should not proceed."
The ministers have jointly urged Dublin City councillors to vote against the renaming proposal when it comes before them.
