Dublin’s Herzog Park set to be ‘denamed’ over 'Israel' connections

Dublin City Council is poised to remove the name of former 'Israeli' president Chaim Herzog from a public park in the southside suburb of Rathgar, after a motion cleared a preliminary committee stage.

Herzog Park, formerly known as Orwell Quarry Park when it opened in 1985, was renamed in 1995 in honor of Herzog, an Irish‑born military officer and later President of 'Israel'.

The current motion comes amid growing public pressure linked to the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Activists and several pro‑Palestinian groups have demanded the change, some suggesting renaming the park to Free Palestine Park or after a Palestinian child killed during the war. 

Proceedings by the council’s Commemorations and Naming Committee, held July last year, recorded a majority vote (with one objection) recommending removal of “Herzog” and launching a community consultation to select a new name. The final vote is expected in the coming days when the full council convenes. 

The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from Jewish‑Irish community leaders and officials abroad. Jewish Representative Council of Ireland said the motion sends a “hurtful and isolating message” to Ireland’s Jewish minority, warning that stripping the park of Herzog’s name would amount to “erasing Irish‑Jewish history.” 

Isaac Herzog, son of Chaim Herzog and current President of 'Israel', condemned the proposed renaming as a “shameful and disgraceful move.” He described it as an attack not only on his father’s legacy but also on the historic ties between the Irish and Jewish communities.

Locally, opinions within the council appear divided. Opposition voices warn that removing the name could set a dangerous precedent, where every place of historical commemoration becomes vulnerable to current political pressures. 

With the final vote looming, Dublin faces a dilemma: uphold a long‑standing local landmark’s name or respond to public calls for solidarity amid a broader international crisis.