Jewish Activist Removed from Irish Holocaust Event Amid President's Gaza Speech

During a Holocaust Memorial Day event in Dublin, Lior Tibet, a Jewish teacher and PhD student, was forcibly removed for protesting Irish President Michael Higgins' remarks on Gaza. Tibet and other Jewish attendees turned their backs during Higgins' speech, which included comments about the 'horrific loss of life' in Gaza, prompting security to drag her out as she shouted, 'I’m Jewish, why are you removing me?' Tibet expressed that Higgins' comments were hurtful and dismissive of their experiences, and she criticized his presence at the memorial despite requests from the Jewish community for him not to attend. Other attendees echoed her sentiments, feeling that Higgins had hijacked a moment meant to honor Holocaust victims. The incident highlights increasing tensions in Ireland regarding anti-Semitism and the treatment of Jewish people in the wake of recent conflicts. Many Jewish individuals in Ireland feel increasingly isolated and are concerned about the atmosphere in the country following the October 7 Hamas attacks.