Israel is starting to realise that many people will remain silent no more:
Israel’s Ambassador to Ireland, Zion Evrony, thought he was dropping in to the small town of Carrickmacross for a cup of tea and a chat with the mayor.
Instead, he walked into a massive political row in which Sinn Féin councillors even called for a page he signed in the visitors’ book to be removed.
Dr Evrony visited the town in County Monaghan last Friday and was greeted by more than 30 residents protesting alongside councillors and the deputy mayor.
The group blocked his route and demanded that mayor Mary Kerr-Conlon cancel her meeting with him.
Police helped Dr Evrony get through the crowd to the council offices where he signed the town’s “Distinguished Visitors’ Book”.
Sinn Féin councillor Matt Carthy claimed four of the town’s nine councillors opposed the visit and declared that Mrs Kerr-Conlon, a member of the opposing Fine Gael party, “should be ashamed of herself”.
He said: “The mayor’s actions in this regard are disgraceful. Carrickmacross does not want to be associated in any way with the Israeli government.
“To be associated with this rogue government is an affront to the Palestinian people who, only one year ago, were the subject of an unrelenting aerial and ground attack by Israeli forces in their Operation Cast Lead.”