Statement by Minister McEntee on Herzog Park

Herzog Park is named for Chaim Herzog who was born in Belfast and grew up in Dublin. He went on to be President of Israel and his son currently holds that office. His father was Chief Rabbi of Ireland for many years.

He is an important figure for many people, particularly for members of Ireland’s Jewish community. I think we should be clear about this.

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.

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 and I urge Dublin City Councillors to vote against it.