The Jewish Representative Council of Ireland has said it is appalled by remarks made by a Fine Gael councillor at a meeting of Dublin City Council last night.
Cllr Punam Rane has apologised for the remarks she made at last night's local authority meeting during a motion on the Occupied Territories Bill.
Cllr Rane, who represents the Kimmage Rathmines Ward, said during the debate that the "USA should have taken a stance but how many of you know that the entire US economy is ruled by the Jews, is ruled by Israel. They will never be able to take a stance".
"It will cripple the whole US economy if they take a stance. And therefore they're afraid of taking a stance. That will never happen," she said.
People Before Profit Councillor Conor Reddy asked her to clarify the remarks, describing them as unhelpful.
"Her remarks on Jews controlling the American economy, I think that's tremendously unhelpful. We're all here in solidarity with Palestine.
"To equate Judaism and Zionism is ... a complete fallacy. It's wrong and I think we all stand against anti-Semitism and it would be helpful if she could withdraw that particular use of words," Cllr Reddy said.
Cllr Rane responded: "Yes that's fine. I didn't mean a particular community. I'm just saying that the US economy is ruled by the Israelis. It's not wrong. They have worked hard for it, that's not what I'm saying.
"What I'm saying is the US is not able to take a stance today because [of] their financial dependency, that's all I'm saying."
This morning in a post on X, Ms Rane apologised for the comments and withdrew them.
"I completely withdraw my comments made at last night's city council meeting in relation to a motion on the Occupied Territories Bill. It was wrong and I fully apologise for it."
The Jewish Representative Council of Ireland has said it is appalled by the remarks.
It said: "Her subsequent apology is not accepted, and Fine Gael should consider whether she ought to be removed from the party.
"The Jewish Community is also appalled by the fact that these remarks coincided with a remembrance ceremony held in Terenure Synagogue for the 1,200 slaughtered on the 7th October 2023.
"Comments like this have led to Ireland being labelled as the most antisemitic country in Europe.
"We call on ALL party leaders in the Oireachtas to listen to the Jewish Community in Ireland to understand the rise in antisemitism."
Dublin city councillors voted unanimously to support the Sinn Féin motion demanding the Irish Government enacts the Occupied Territories Bill and cut Irish trade ties with Israeli goods and services produced in the region.
