The government of Ireland has recently purchased a $61-million state-of-the-art jet, designed to ferry the country's most important politicians around the world. However, the new aircraft, a Dassault Falcon 6X, lacks one key component due to a boycott on parts from Israel.
The Dassault Falcon 6X is a large, long-range business jet capable of cruising at 51,000 feet, with a range of more than 10,000 km, and can reach speeds of up to Mach 0.9. Unfortunately, the aircraft is missing the FalconEye system, a critical component that guides the plane safely to the ground in adverse weather conditions such as rain, fog, and mist.
Ireland's purchase of the Dassault Falcon 6X raises questions about the country's priorities, particularly given its notoriously wet and overcast climate. Cork Airport, the country's second-busiest airport, experiences 99 days of fog per year, making safe navigation a top concern.
The reason for the absence of the FalconEye system lies in its manufacturer, Elbit Systems, a major Israeli defense and technology company. Ireland's decision not to purchase Israeli-made products stems from the country's aggressively pro-Palestinian stance, which has been in place since the Oct. 7, 2023 massacre of Jews by the Palestinian Islamic terror group Hamas.
Ireland's anti-Israel policies have had significant repercussions, including the closure of Israel's embassy in Ireland in late 2024. Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa'ar stated that the Irish Republic had "crossed every red line" with its extreme anti-Israel stance. Sa'ar emphasized that Israel would prioritize bilateral relations with countries that support the Jewish state.
