Ireland’s president has been branded “despicable” and accused of spewing “anti-Semitic lies” after he used a Holocaust memorial speech to highlight the plight of Gazans.

Israeli Ambassador to Ireland Dana Erlich has accused the Irish president of "politicising" a Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration in Dublin on Sunday. The event marked 80 years since the end of World War II and was held to remember victims of the Holocaust.

Michael Higgins's address highlighted Gaza war, which country's chief rabbi decries as an attempt to 'politicize' the memorial ceremony

Security staff forcibly removed a woman who objected to the president's remarks, while others who turned their backs on Higgins were asked to leave.

Jewish community had asked Higgins not to politicize event; protesters turn their backs on Irish president, at least one person forcibly removed from event The post In Holocaust Day speech, Irish president decries ‘horrific loss of life’ in Gaza,