Larry Donnelly

Yeah, I mean, this particular piece, and again, everyone who writes has their own background and their own perspective, and this guy writes from an unabashedly right-wing perspective, but it is the latest in a series of what I can only call hit pieces on Ireland to appear in the Wall Street Journal and in other publications, and it's worrying because in all my years studying the U.S.-Irish relationship, I cannot remember anything resembling

such a sustained attack on Ireland and this notion that we are anti-Semitic.

And I think perceptions are being formed as a result of that.

I know people here will attack the messengers, but that perception is growing in certain powerful quarters in the United States.

And I say that not least because

because of our economic model and the level of dependency upon U.S.

multinationals.

Well, inferences are being drawn from certain things, certain things that have happened.

You know, for instance, the attempted renaming of Herzog Park.

The fact that some individuals, including some elected officials, celebrated in the wake of the events of October 7th.

Other things that have happened that are cementing this sort of perception out there that there's a lot of anti-Semitism in Ireland.

The breakdown of diplomatic relations between Ireland and Israel is another one that has garnered some attention in the United States.

And make no mistake, Ireland has a great relationship with the United States.

I don't see that being drastically harmed there.

But don't forget, Israel has a lot of powerful allies in the United States.

And again, to some extent, we have something of a target on our back because of this in some powerful quarters.

And so when it comes to things, for instance, like

the Pending Occupied Territories Bill.

This is sharpening ears in the United States.

And I do worry about what that might mean.