In his first remarks after being elected as the new prime minister of Ireland, Simon Harris condemned Israel for slaughtering and starving Palestinians in Gaza, vowing “not to be silent” on the war.
“In Gaza, we are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe. And we are seeing innocent children, women, and men being starved and slaughtered,” Harris told lawmakers in the Irish parliament. “We have not been silent on the unforgivable terrorist actions of Hamas on October the seventh. Nor can we be silent on the disproportionate reaction of the Israeli government,” Harris continued.
Ireland, he promised, will “play [its] part” in “helping bring about the ceasefire and the lasting peace” in the besieged enclave.
This follows a speech last week which saw Harris make a scathing personal address to his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu. He said “the Irish people could not be clearer. We are repulsed by your actions.”
More background: Ireland has been one of the most vocal critics of Israel’s war in Gaza, with Harris’ predecessor Leo Varadkar previously describing its actions as “something approaching revenge.”
Israel has not shied away from firing back at Ireland. Its heritage minister, Amihai Eliyahu, said in November that Palestinians in Gaza “can go to Ireland or deserts,” among other incendiary comments that Netanyahu has tried to distance himself from. In February, Israel’s ambassador to Ireland, Dana Erlich, said in an interview with radio station Newstalk that she only heard a “one-sided view, portraying Israel as the only villain.”
CNN’s Eoin McSweeney contributed reporting to this post.
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