Taoiseach Simon Harris pledges 'unbreakable support' to Palestine during call with President

Taoiseach Simon Harris has pledged Ireland’s support for a “ceasefire and an end to the bloodshed” in the Middle East during a phone call with the Palestinian President.

As fraught relations between Ireland and Israel continue, Mr Harris argued that Ireland’s “recognition of Palestine took nothing away from Israel”.

The Taoiseach spoke to Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Authority, on Monday to express “solidarity and unbreakable support of the people of Ireland to the people of Palestine”.

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He stated that the ongoing conflict and loss of life in Gaza “weighs heavily on the minds of many Irish people” this Christmas as he vowed that Ireland will use its “voice and influence at every opportunity in every international forum it can from the EU to the UN” to bring about a ceasefire.

Mr Harris also said that Ireland would continue to engage in “direct bilateral relations with Israel and Palestine”.

“While speaking to President Abbas, it was foremost in my mind that the heart-shattering milestone of more than 45,000 dead was passed earlier this month, of which nearly 15,000 were innocent children,” the Taoiseach said.

“President Abbas told me that 50 people have died and 100 have been injured in Gaza every day in 2024.

“On top of this, we have seen so-called safe zones bombed in the last few days and the conditions in Gaza as described by the UN are horrific. 1.1 million children are living in hellish conditions. Families lack the most basic items, including food, clothing, shoes, mattresses, blankets, and kitchen supplies.

“There is a dangerous shortage of medicines, with diseases spreading rapidly due to the cold. Tens of thousands of people are living at sites with no basic services at all. That’s no bathroom, no water and no food.

“It is also deeply troubling that the West Bank and East Jerusalem continue to see buildings being cleared and demolished. The risk of famine has not subsided and the only conclusion that can fairly be drawn at the end of 2024 is that the world has failed the innocent people of Gaza.”

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
(Image: X01440)

A readout of the call between the Taoiseach and President Abbas stated that the two men looked forward to 2025 and the “need for a ceasefire and an end to the bloodshed to be the top priority of all major powers and parties to the conflict”.

“The Taoiseach pledged Ireland would use every opportunity to achieve this,” a statement said.

They also discussed Ireland’s decision to recognise the State of Palestine alongside Norway and Spain in May.

Mr Harris said: “There were some who criticised our decision to recognise Palestine but I am resolute in the words I said on that day in May, ‘There is never a wrong time to do the right thing’.

“Our recognition of Palestine took nothing away from Israel and I have spoken or met in person with President Herzog of Israel on several occasions this year.”

His comments come following Israel’s decision last week to close its embassy in Dublin as it argued that the Irish Government has been more “hostile” towards Israel than any of its EU neighbours.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar later branded Mr Harris “antisemitic”, a charge that was denied by the Irish government.

President Michael D Higgins later said it was a “gross defamation” and “deep slander” for the Israeli government to describe the Irish people as antisemitic.

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