Gaza a ‘crucible of suffering’ for civilians: Irish president
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Ireland and "Israel" have been for some time engaged in a diplomatic row over Dublin's backing for the Palestinians.
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A woman gestures following Israeli strikes on the Ahmad Abdulaziz UNRWA-run school currently housing displaced families in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on December 16, 2024. (AFP)
"Israel" has gone beyond any humanitarian law borders since the start of its murderous campaign against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, said Irish President Michael D. Higgins.
Higgins, whose tenure ends in 2025, made specific notice of the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and other war zones around the world in his final Christmas message to the country on Friday.
He condemned international passivity on civilian killings and called Gaza "a crucible of suffering for children and their families" with nearly 45,000 dead, 17,000 of whom are children, and possibly 11,000 beneath the rubble.
The Irish president emphasized how the silence of many figures amid the gross human rights violations "grants impunity to those who blatantly impose collective punishments on civilians, including starvation, which, as I speak, particularly affects women and children."
Israeli occupation forces have killed 45,227 Palestinians, while another 107,573 have been injured since October 7, 2023, the Ministry of Health in Gaza reported on the 442nd day of the ongoing Israeli genocide.
Ireland and "Israel" are now engaged in a diplomatic confrontation over Dublin's backing for the Palestinians, and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced last week that the regime will shut its mission in Ireland, citing "extreme anti-Israel policy."
The announcement follows several actions by Ireland, including its formal recognition of a Palestinian state and support for an International Court of Justice (ICJ) case accusing "Israel" of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip.
"Ireland has crossed every red line in its relations with Israel," Saar considered.
Reacting to the decision, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris described "Israel’s" move as "deeply regrettable" and dismissed claims of anti-Israeli sentiment, asserting on X that Ireland is "pro-peace, pro-human rights and pro-International law."
He added, "Ireland wants a two state solution and for Israel and Palestine to live in peace and security. Ireland will always speak up for human rights and international law. Nothing will distract from that."
