The Israeli Foreign Ministry issued a stark warning to the Irish Prime Minister, Simon Harris, on Thursday, cautioning him about the risk of being "on the wrong side of history."
Taoiseach Simon Harris gestures after receiving a majority parliamentary vote to become the next Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland, in Dublin, April 9, 2024. Reuters/Clodagh Kilcoyne
The Israeli Foreign Ministry issued a stark warning to the Irish Prime Minister, Simon Harris, on Thursday, cautioning him about the risk of being "on the wrong side of history."
The warning particularly focused on Harris's failure to mention the hostages held captive in Gaza in his recent inauguration speech before the Parliament.
In a statement, the ministry criticized Harris for his omission, noting that he "forgot to mention" the hostages, highlighting a significant concern in the context of his speech.
Additionally, the Israeli Foreign Ministry accused the new Prime Minister and his Foreign Minister, Micheal Martin, of "planning to award further prizes to terrorism." This accusation stems from their expressed willingness to recognize a Palestinian state, a move Israel views with significant apprehension.
The ministry's statement underscored its belief that "some in Ireland continue to be on the wrong side of history," referencing the country's stance towards the conflict in Gaza. Ireland, known as one of the most pro-Palestinian countries in Europe, has maintained its position on the Gaza war, which erupted on October 7th following an unprecedented attack by the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas on Israeli soil.
Simon Harris, the former Minister for Higher Education from a centrist-right party, reaffirmed Ireland's stance in his speech on Tuesday.
His comments have now drawn criticism from Israel, which is concerned about Ireland's approach to the conflict and the potential recognition of a Palestinian state.
The United Arab Emirates has pursued an assertive foreign policy and carved its own sphere of influence across the Middle East and Africa, a strategy in the spotlight after a rare military escalation with Saudi Arabia in Yemen this week.
The Israeli government has announced it will suspend the licenses of more than thirty humanitarian organizations operating in the Gaza Strip, including Doctors Without Borders, citing alleged non-compliance with newly introduced regulations governing aid groups in the war-ravaged Palestinian enclave.
The Middle East rarely falls into war because of one bomb, one speech, one headline. It falls into war when pressures align and every player decides that acting first is safer than waiting.
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