The Department of an Taoiseach claims that releasing the full records of what was discussed at a meeting between an ex-Israeli intelligence officer and then junior minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill could damage Ireland’s international relations.
Documents released to The Ditch show ex-spy Inbal Goldberger met Jennifer Carroll MacNeill last year to discuss the controversial International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism – and how Ireland can police the speech of international companies based here.
Several records related to the May 2024 meeting with Inbal Goldberger were either partially or entirely withheld, with officials citing Section 33(1)(d) of the Freedom of Information Act – claiming release "could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the international relations of the state."
The department partially redacted notes about what was discussed at the meeting, saying they do not relate to Goldberger but instead concern international relations. These redactions appear next to a section about the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland’s attempts to obtain "trusted flagger status" to fasttrack flagged social media posts to "the top of the content reviewing queues".
Also redacted under 33 (1) (d) was a section of a briefing note about “Antisemitism Lines to Take (LTTs)”.
Correspondence shows the meeting was arranged by Maurice Cohen, chair of the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland. In an email to the Department of an Taoiseach dated 27 May, 2024, Cohen requested to bring Goldberger to meet minister Carroll MacNeill.
"Inbal is very involved in online hate speech," he wrote, asking if Goldberger could attend. Cohen also noted that with "Coimisiún na Meán" Ireland "will be responsible for policing, throughout Europe, all the major digital media companies that are headquartered in Ireland”.
Civil servants checked with Carroll MacNeill – who agreed to meet the former spy.
‘Insights into combatting online manifestations of antisemitism’
Last month The Ditch reported that Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, who was junior defence minister at the time, held a meeting with Inbal Goldberger in the taoiseach’s office. Goldberger worked as an intelligence officer for nearly 10 years in the Israeli Prime Minister's Office and a controversial Israel Defense Forces unit that has faced allegations of human rights violations.
Instagram later removed the story from its platform after it was published, citing “bullying and harassment”.
According to briefing notes for the 30 May meeting, the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism was listed as an "ongoing issue" to be discussed with Cohen and Goldberger, alongside Ireland’s hate crime legislation.
More than 100 Israeli and international human rights organisations – including B'Tselem, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the American Civil Liberties Union – oppose the IHRA definition, citing concerns about its impact on freedom of expression.
A note summarising the meeting said Goldberger "works in online safety in the tech sector" and could provide MacNeill with "insights into combatting online manifestations of antisemitism."
The released documents also show the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland’s intention to acquire "trusted flagger status" which would "fasttrack social media posts flagged by the JRCI to the top of the content reviewing queues”.
Speaking points for MacNeill told her to mention Ireland had "recently designated a senior official as Ireland's antisemitism coordinator in line with the European Commission's Strategy on Combatting Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life”.
Carroll MacNeill and the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland have been contacted for comment.
