Ireland “will not be silenced” over criticism of Israeli violence in Gaza
Simon Harris, Ireland's prime minister, during an interview in New York, US, on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. Support for Ireland's incumbent prime minister, Taoiseach Simon Harris, has jumped along with increases for his party, according to an Irish Times poll, results which will likely add pressure for him to call a general election this autumn. Photographer: Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Ireland’s Prime Minister, Simon Harris, has stated that his country will “not be silenced” in its criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza following Tel Aviv’s decision to close its Dublin embassy.
Harris accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of engaging in “the diplomacy of distraction,” reaffirming that Ireland has supported Israel’s right to self-defense but remains critical of its military conduct in Gaza.
“You know what I think is reprehensible? Killing children, I think that’s reprehensible,” Harris told reporters. “You know what I think is reprehensible? Seeing the scale of civilian deaths that we’ve seen in Gaza. You know what I think is reprehensible? People being left to starve and humanitarian aid not flowing.”
The move to close Israel’s embassy comes after Ireland supported an International Court of Justice (ICJ) petition accusing Israel of genocide. Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin defended the decision, stating it was driven solely by respect for international humanitarian law.
“The utilisation of the international courts by Ireland … where there can be international accountability for war crimes in any part of the world, including in Gaza, should not be seen as a hostile act,” Martin said.
Harris stressed Ireland’s longstanding support for the Palestinian people, expressing pride in the country’s humanitarian stance while urging respect for international law amid the conflict.
