ISRAELI Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon smeared the Irish parliament with allegations of “hatred and anti-semitism” today after it resolved to support an independent Palestinian state.

Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan said on Wednesday that Ireland was considering early recognition of Palestinian statehood as a possible means of kick-starting Middle East peace talks.

Mr Nahshon’s reference to “statements of hatred and anti-semitism directed at Israel in a way which we have not heard before” may have been directed at a number of TDs who accused Israel of genocide during the parliamentary debate.

“While successive governments have always seen recognition coming as part of an agreed peace, I’ve made it clear that I’ve absolutely no difficulty in principle with the idea of early recognition if I believe it can contribute to achieving a settlement of the conflict,” said Mr Flanagan.