Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill faces criticism over photo with IDF supporter

Irish Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has faced criticism following the resurfacing of a photograph showing her with Yoseph Haddad. The image, taken during a 2022 visit to Leinster House, shows the Minister alongside Haddad, an Arab-Israeli public figure and supporter of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF).

The controversy intensified after Haddad attended a Nations League football match between Ireland and Israel in Hungary. During the match, Haddad was seen participating in chants supporting the IDF. Haddad, who is running as a candidate for the right-wing party Amcha Yisrael in upcoming Israeli elections, posted footage from the event where he stated that while Israel may lose on the football pitch, the IDF remains undefeated.

The incident has reignited debates regarding Ireland’s diplomatic stance on Israel and the Gaza conflict, as well as the appropriateness of Irish government representatives engaging with figures associated with Israeli military institutions.