Israel’s foreign ministry has rebuked Ireland’s new prime minister, Simon Harris, for neglecting to mention the “133 Israeli hostages trapped in Hamas tunnels” during his parliamentary address. The ministry expressed disappointment, citing the six-month ordeal endured by these hostages in Gaza.
In response to Harris’ speech, the ministry emphasized the gravity of the situation, referring to it as “the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.” It criticized Ireland’s stance, accusing the country of being “on the wrong side of history.”
Furthermore, Israel expressed discontent with Ireland’s plans to recognize a Palestinian state and its involvement in a genocide case against Israel initiated by South Africa at the International Court of Justice. The ministry condemned these actions, asserting that they could endorse terrorism and undermine Israeli sovereignty.
During his parliamentary address, Harris condemned the violence in Gaza, highlighting the suffering of civilians, including children, women, and men. He denounced both Hamas’ terrorist actions and Israel’s response, advocating for a balanced approach to the conflict.
While Ireland has expressed readiness to recognize Palestine under certain conditions, Israel remains critical of such moves, viewing them as potentially detrimental to the peace process. The conflict in Gaza, which erupted on October 7, has resulted in significant casualties and ongoing tensions between the two sides.
Despite international efforts to address the conflict, including Ireland’s intervention at the International Court of Justice, a resolution to the crisis remains elusive. Both Israel and Hamas continue to assert their positions, exacerbating the humanitarian situation in the region.
