המדינה העוינת הפכה לנשיאה התורנית של האיחוד, חשש בישראל: "תנופה ליוזמות נגדנו"

הערכה

Ireland, described by Israel as a hostile state, is assuming the rotating presidency of the EU Council. Israeli officials fear this will accelerate European initiatives against Israel, specifically sanctions on a minister and trade restrictions on settlement goods. The timing is seen as particularly damaging because Israel lacks an effective government to mount a diplomatic counter-offensive.