Taoiseach hits back at Israeli Ambassador jibe
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TAOISEACH Simon Harris has hit back at criticism from the Israeli Ambassador over plans to recognise a Palestinian state.
He said he has no “time or truck” for “distractions” from representatives of the Benjamin Netanyahu government following suggestions from Ambassador Dana Erlich that Ireland recognising Palestine would be akin to “rewarding terrorism”. It was put to Mr Harris on CNN that Ireland has been accused of “being on the wrong side of history” by its commitment to recognise Palestine.
The Taoiseach dismissed the suggestions from Ms Erlich and hit out at the ongoing war being waged on Gaza.
Mr Harris said: “You’ll excuse me for finding it a little bit hard to hear the representative of the Netanyahu government is talking about being on the wrong side [of history]. I think the actions of the Netanyahu government right now, in terms of allowing this humanitarian catastrophe to unfold in Gaza and the impact on women, children, civilians and civilian infrastructure is profound.
“Ireland is extraordinarily clear in its condemnation of Hamas, extraordinarily clear on the need for the release without condition immediately of all hostages.
“We are extraordinarily clear of the right of Israel to be able to live in safety and security. But we also believe that reason has now been replaced by revenge.
“We believe there needs to be an immediate cessation of violence.
“And quite frankly, I don’t have any time or truck for any distractions or diversions being put forward by the Netanyahu government to take away from that fundamental point.”
IRAN has threatened to hit back “within seconds” if it comes under fire from Israel, amid fears of a wider conflict breaking out.
Israel’s war cabinet met for a fourth time over the crisis yesterday, thrashing out plans to avenge Iran’s weekend missile and drone onslaught.
Tehran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Ali Bagheri Kani, said Israel will face a “resolute and hard response” if it goes ahead with another attack.
Referring to the delay before his country’s response to Israel’s April 1 Syria airstrike, which killed two of Tehran’s key generals among 13 dead, he said: “There will not be a 12 or 13 day gap between a Zionist regime move and Iran’s powerful response anymore.
“The Zionists must now reckon in seconds, not hours.”
Israel has replaced reason with revenge and is not listening to countries calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, the new Taoiseach said last night.
Simon Harris said the EU should use “every lever at its disposal” to halt the violence in the region.
Mr Harris said Israel had not been listening to the Government’s calls for a ceasefire.
Asked if the EU had any influence in the region, Mr Harris said: “It is obviously a matter for the Israeli government, for the Netanyahu administration, as to who they wish to listen to.
“They certainly haven’t been listening to Ireland and other countries and European states who have been calling for a ceasefire, for example, in Gaza for many, many months now but I do hope at this stage that common sense prevails.”
Meanwhile, Israel’s deadly bombardment in Gaza continues.
A young lad and an older man could be seen yesterday sitting in the rubble of a building destroyed during Israel’s bombing of Khan Younis in the south
Jerusalem will be in the hands of Muslims. We will celebrate Palestine liberation IRAN’S SUPREME LEADER, AYATOLLAH ALI KHAMENEI, RIGHT
of the Gaza Strip. Mapping experts say over half the city’s buildings have been damaged or destroyed.
Several IDF soldiers were wounded in southern Lebanon on Monday as Hezbollah set off a pre-planted bomb, although it is not known if the troops were on a reconnaissance mission.
Sources say Israel wants to “hit Iran hard” in a way that is decisive, strategically advantageous and that will discourage Iran from retaliating.
Tehran has closed down its nuclear sites, according to the UN’S Rafael Grossi.
The International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran has enough fissile material for three bombs.
It added: “The Israeli government, and particularly PM Benjamin Netanyahu, views the prospect of an Iranian nuclear weapon as an existential threat given Israel’s small geographic size and the concentration of its population in a few cities.”
US President Joe Biden has been hosting Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-sudani.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who turns 85 on Friday, recently wrote on X in Hebrew, saying: “Holy al-quds [the Arabic name for Jerusalem] will be in the hands of the Muslims, and the Muslim world will celebrate the liberation of Palestine.”
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has urged his Israeli counterpart
Benjamin Netanyahu to let “calm heads prevail”. A spokesman said: “He reiterated the UK’S steadfast support for Israel’s security and for wider regional stability.”
Senior British politicians have urged Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to outlaw Tehran’s Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.
But the country’s Home Office minister Laura Farris said this would jeopardise lines of communication with Iran.