Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
Editorials & Other Articles
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
The Irish government, including staunch political adversaries, defends Taoiseach Leo Varadkar
Varadkar: “I’ve always been consistent in my unequivocal condemnation of Hamas and hostage taking. I call for all hostages to be released without any conditions and I have always done so.”
https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/majority-of-people-understand-what-i-was-saying-leo-varadkar-defends-emily-hand-lost-tweet-amid-israeli-uproar/a865148238.html
snip
‘Unfortunate’
Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney said on RTÉ’s This Week programme: "I would ask people to read the full text that the Taoiseach sent out. “Being 'lost and found' is a Biblical term. Leo Varadkar has been very clear both publicly and privately about how he sees Hamas as a terrorist organisation. “I think it is unfortunate that the Israeli Foreign Minister has responded the way he has.” There will be an opportunity for the Irish Ambassador to put context on what the Taoiseach tweeted when she meets the Israeli Foreign Minister in the next 48 hours, he said.
Mr Coveney said Mr Varadkar was “one of the most balanced voices” in terms of condemning Hamas, but also speaking out in terms of the protection of “Palestinian woman and children and innocent civilians who have suffered so much in recent days”. He said there were some parties in Dáil Eireann who would not even describe Hamas as a terror organisation, and the question should be asked of them why not.
In an unusual event, Mr Varadkar was staunchly defended on RTÉ’s The Week in Politics by political opponent Pearse Doherty of Sinn Féin. He said the Taoiseach had repeatedly referred to Emily as being held hostage by Hamas. “It has been condemned across the board, across the political divide, and by the Taoiseach over and over again,” Mr Doherty said. “This is absolute deflection from from Israel, who are preparing, I'm sure, to begin their bombardment of Gaza again after the ceasefire. What we need now is a focus to make sure that Israel doesn't do that, that this ceasefire is a lasting, and that there is space and opportunity for dialogue and a peace process.”
Fianna Fáil junior minister Jack Chambers said the Israeli reaction “completely misrepresents” the Taoiseach, who had been very clear on the hostage-taking. “Everyone knows his integrity on this matter,” he said. Jennifer Whitmore TD of the Social Democrats said her party had called for the expulsion of the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland Dana Erlich and would now reiterate that.
snip
snip
‘Unfortunate’
Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney said on RTÉ’s This Week programme: "I would ask people to read the full text that the Taoiseach sent out. “Being 'lost and found' is a Biblical term. Leo Varadkar has been very clear both publicly and privately about how he sees Hamas as a terrorist organisation. “I think it is unfortunate that the Israeli Foreign Minister has responded the way he has.” There will be an opportunity for the Irish Ambassador to put context on what the Taoiseach tweeted when she meets the Israeli Foreign Minister in the next 48 hours, he said.
Mr Coveney said Mr Varadkar was “one of the most balanced voices” in terms of condemning Hamas, but also speaking out in terms of the protection of “Palestinian woman and children and innocent civilians who have suffered so much in recent days”. He said there were some parties in Dáil Eireann who would not even describe Hamas as a terror organisation, and the question should be asked of them why not.
In an unusual event, Mr Varadkar was staunchly defended on RTÉ’s The Week in Politics by political opponent Pearse Doherty of Sinn Féin. He said the Taoiseach had repeatedly referred to Emily as being held hostage by Hamas. “It has been condemned across the board, across the political divide, and by the Taoiseach over and over again,” Mr Doherty said. “This is absolute deflection from from Israel, who are preparing, I'm sure, to begin their bombardment of Gaza again after the ceasefire. What we need now is a focus to make sure that Israel doesn't do that, that this ceasefire is a lasting, and that there is space and opportunity for dialogue and a peace process.”
Fianna Fáil junior minister Jack Chambers said the Israeli reaction “completely misrepresents” the Taoiseach, who had been very clear on the hostage-taking. “Everyone knows his integrity on this matter,” he said. Jennifer Whitmore TD of the Social Democrats said her party had called for the expulsion of the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland Dana Erlich and would now reiterate that.
snip
related
related
Leo Varadkar has condemned Hamas from the start, this is from October 7th:
https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2023/1007/1409559-ireland-israel-hamas/
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has condemned "appalling" surprise attacks by Hamas and called for an end to hostilities. Mr Varadkar called for the fighting to stop "immediately" and Ireland condemns the attacks on civilians "unequivocally".
"The firing of rockets by Hamas and the loss of life in fighting is appalling, as is the impact on people going about their daily lives." he said on X. "We condemn attacks on civilians unequivocally. The fighting should stop immediately"
Tánaiste and Fianna Fail leader Micheál Martin also descried the attack by Hamas on Israel as "appalling attack" - and urged all involved to "de-escalate" the situation as soon as possible.
Speaking to RTÉ News at a Fianna Fail event in Dublin city this evening, the Minister for Foreign Affairs said what happened was "shocking". Mr Martin said the attack was "clearly in breach of international law" and that Israel has the "right to self defence".
2 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
