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The Dublin City Council’s plan to remove late former Israeli President Chaim Herzog’s name from a residential park has drawn sharp criticism from those who say the move would promote antisemitism and distorts Irish-Jewish history.
A Park With Strong Irish-Jewish Roots
The park sits in Rathgar, a residential neighborhood in south Dublin with a long-standing Jewish presence. It was renamed in 1995 to honor Chaim Herzog, the Dublin-born sixth president of Israel, who grew up nearby while his father served as Ireland’s chief rabbi. It also borders Ireland’s only Jewish primary and secondary school. Because of this location, the park holds deep meaning for local Jewish families.
The council has confirmed it intends to remove the Herzog name. Meanwhile, anti-Israel activists are lobbying to replace it with “Free Palestine Park.”
Ireland's Dublin City Council has decided to rename Herzog Park, a park named after Chaim Herzog, Israel's 6th president and son of a Chief Rabbi of Ireland.
Jewish history is being erased. I honestly have nothing else to add, except that the Jews in Ireland have my deepest… pic.twitter.com/ZcWRolosB1
— Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) November 29, 2025
Jewish Leaders Warn of Consequences
Former Irish Justice Minister Alan Shatter condemned the initiative. He said it would erase a key part of Irish-Jewish life and make Dublin feel hostile to Jewish residents. His warning echoed across the community.
Ireland’s Chief Rabbi Yoni Wieder also raised concerns. He described Herzog Park as “more than a name on a sign.” He explained that removing it would send “a painful message of isolation” to Dublin’s small Jewish population. The European Jewish Congress agreed, stating that the plan signaled that Jewish heritage was “conditional, vulnerable, and disposable.”
Israeli, Irish, and US Officials Reject Proposal
The office of Israeli President Isaac Herzog — Chaim Herzog’s son — called the move “regrettable and shameful.” The statement highlighted Herzog’s legacy as both a national leader and a veteran of the fight against Nazi Germany.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said the situation reflected a growing hostility toward Israel in Dublin.
Irish Justice Minister Helen McEntee urged Dublin City Council members to reject the renaming plan. She said the proposal had “no place in our inclusive republic” and offered no path to peace.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee criticized the decision. He called it “an incredible insult to the Herzog family.” He also urged Irish citizens to oppose the proposal. U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham issued a similar warning, saying the plan reflected rising anti-Israel and antisemitic sentiment in Ireland.
The full Dublin City Council will vote on the renaming in the coming weeks. The outcome will show whether Dublin chooses to preserve its Irish-Jewish heritage or enable efforts to erase it.
Take Action
CAM has launched Report It — a secure app to report antisemitic incidents anonymously and in real time. Don’t stay silent — download it today on the Apple Store or Google Play. See it. Report it. Stop it. Together, we can fight this hate.
