Incident Under Inquiry After Israeli Man Confronted in Dublin

Dún Laoghaire, co Dublin, March 16, 2025 – Gardaí are investigating an incident that occured at the royal Marine Hotel in Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin, involving two women and an Israeli man. The confrontation escalated to verbal abuse and spitting, prompting police involvement and raising concerns within the Irish Jewish community.

The Confrontation

The incident, which took place on Wednesday, involved two women, Zena Ismail and Léna Seale, confronting Tamir Ohayon, an Israeli man visiting Dublin from Tel Aviv for a conference. The women allegedly approached Ohayon while he was seated at a table with a colleague, engaging in a verbal altercation.According to online footage,Ismail spat toward ohayon,stating that Zionists are not welcome in Ireland and that they knew he was a member of the Israeli army.

Ohayon and Ismail both recorded footage of the event, which was later posted online. In the recordings, Ismail can be heard responding to Ohayon, who stated that she was not welcome at his table, with: “she’s fking Irish, b*h,” and calling him a “son of a whore.” Seale allegedly added, “Israel is on the way out.” Ismail also said,”and make sure you tell every one of your buddies that you are not welcome in Ireland.”

Identities Involved

• Tamir Ohayon: The israeli man who was visiting Ireland for a conference. He stated he was “assaulted by an organised group of girls” and felt “pure terrorism”.
• Zena Ismail: An Irish resident from Lebanon with a master’s degree from University College Dublin and former TikTok employee.
• Léna Seale: A mixed media artist, model, activist, and former local election candidate for people Before Profit.

Reactions and Aftermath

The Ireland israel Alliance condemned the incident as a display of “pure, unadulterated hatred towards an Israeli businessman who was visiting Dublin from Tel Aviv for a conference.” The organization further stated, “Meanwhile, our small Irish Jewish community is living in fear.” The alliance welcomed the Gardaí investigation.

Jim O’Leary, the Fine Gael mayor of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, described the behavior as “hateful and juvenile,” adding, “This is just pure wrong – and lets start calling it what it is – anti-Semitism.”

Seale responded to the mayor’s comment by calling it “unbelievable.” She stated: “I think it is a huge insult to have called us anti-Semitic. We have many friends who are Jewish. We love the Jewish community here. It is an honor to have them here. I don’t know one person who is the pro-Palestine movement who is anti-Semitic. I know for a fact Zena is not anti-Semitic.” She claimed to have known about ohayon’s military service through his social media postings. When asked if she would defend spitting at Ohayon,Seale declined to comment,and attempts to contact Ismail were unsuccessful.

Ohayon expressed his distress in an online statement: “My heart is broken. This is Ireland in 2025.” He recounted his experience with the Gardaí, stating that they “didn’t seem to care at all about the matter.” He further added, “This was an act of pure terrorism. I couldn’t sleep the whole night and locked myself in my hotel room until I moved to another hotel the following day. I will never step foot in Ireland again.”

Police Investigation

The Garda Press Office confirmed they were alerted to a public order incident at a commercial premises in Dún Laoghaire at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday. According to their statement, “No injuries were reported. investigations are ongoing.”

Context and Implications

This incident occurs within a global context of increased tensions and heightened awareness regarding antisemitism and geopolitical conflicts. Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reports and academic studies consistently demonstrate a correlation between escalations in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a rise in antisemitic incidents worldwide ¹. Moreover, the European Union Agency for Essential Rights has documented a growing concern among Jewish communities about safety and security in various european countries ².

The incident in Dún Laoghaire underscores the importance of fostering interfaith dialog, promoting tolerance, and combating all forms of hate speech and discrimination. It also highlights the need for law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate and prosecute hate crimes to ensure the safety and security of all members of the community.

1. Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
2. European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights

Moving Forward

As the investigation continues, it is indeed crucial that all parties involved cooperate fully with the Gardaí. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance against hate and prejudice, and for ongoing efforts to promote understanding and respect within the community. What steps can local organizations and community members take to foster a more inclusive surroundings? Share your thoughts and concerns in the comments below.

PAA related questions:

Addressing Hate: An Interview with Community Leader on Dublin Incident

following the disturbing incident in Dún Laoghaire involving an Israeli visitor, we spoke with Eleanor Vance, Executive Director of the Dublin Interfaith Council, to get her perspective on the situation and potential solutions.

Community Response to Dún laoghaire Incident

Archyde: Eleanor, thank you for joining us. The incident at the Royal Marine Hotel has sparked considerable concern.What’s yoru initial reaction to what transpired?

Eleanor Vance: It’s deeply disheartening. An act like this – the verbal abuse and reported spitting – goes against the values of inclusivity and respect that we strive to uphold in Dublin. It’s crucial to remember that targeting someone based on their nationality or presumed beliefs is unacceptable.

Concerns About Rising Anti-Semitism

Archyde: The Ireland Israel Alliance has expressed concerns about the growing fear within the Irish Jewish community. Do you share those concerns, and what, in your opinion, fuels such anxieties?

Eleanor Vance: I do share their concerns. we’ve seen a worrying trend of increased polarization and, sadly, instances of anti-Semitism around the world, often linked to geopolitical events. It’s vital that we actively combat these sentiments through education, dialog, and unwavering support for our Jewish community members, and indeed all minority groups.

Fostering Interfaith Dialogue and Tolerance

Archyde: Considering your role at the Dublin Interfaith Council, what specific steps can be taken to foster better understanding and prevent similar incidents in the future?

eleanor Vance: We need a multi-pronged approach. Firstly, expanding interfaith dialogue programs, particularly at the grassroots level, allowing peopel from different backgrounds to connect and learn from each other. Secondly, promoting critical thinking and media literacy among younger generations to help them discern misinformation and hateful rhetoric. And thirdly,we need to support initiatives that celebrate diversity and challenge prejudice in all it’s forms. Furthermore we need active support and involvement from prominent figures within our communities to loudly denounce antisemitism.

Accountability and Obligation

Archyde: Both women involved have very different viewpoints surrounding this incident.What is your feeling on the overall effects on Dublin and it’s image?

Eleanor Vance: It has an extremely devisive effect. It needs to be made clear that such behavior is not condoned nor representitive of the lovely city of Dublin. A line has to be drawn in the sand or else the erosion of our image and reputation will be at risk.

Promoting Community Inclusion and Respect

Archyde: what message would you like to share with our readers regarding the importance of promoting understanding and respect within the community?

Eleanor vance: Let’s remember that our diversity is our strength. We all have a role to play in creating a welcoming and inclusive society where everyone feels safe and respected. Let’s actively challenge prejudice, embrace dialogue, and stand together against hate in all its forms. The Dún Laoghaire incident serves as a stark reminder of the work that still needs to be done. What actionable steps can our readers take within their own communities to foster a more tolerant and understanding surroundings? We encourage them to share their thoughts and ideas in the comments below to spark further discussion and collaborative action.