Ireland’s deputy premier accuses Israeli government of genocidal acts
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Irish Deputy PM Simon Harris accuses the Israeli occupation of “genocidal activity” and war crimes in Gaza, calling for a trade ban on illegal settlements and accountability for attacks on EU diplomats.
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Ireland's Simon Harris speaks with the media as he arrives for a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the European Council building in Brussels, Monday, January 27, 2025. (AP)
Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister, Simon Harris, has accused the Israeli government of "genocidal activity" and a "consistent pattern of war crimes" in the Gaza Strip.
Speaking in an interview with Newstalk radio, Harris stated that recent remarks and actions by Israeli officials made it "clear" that the aim was to remove Palestinians from Gaza in an act that constitutes ethnic cleansing.
“In light of the very clear comments that we’ve seen from the Israeli government in recent days, we’re very much now in the space of genocidal activity. I think that is just a statement of fact,” Harris said. He added, “We have seen a consistent pattern of war crimes, and we now have an Israeli government that is being very blunt in terms of outlining what it is intending to carry out in Gaza. They’ve dropped the pretence.”
The Tánaiste also sharply criticized what he called a “convoluted” and “despicable” effort by the Israeli occupation to simulate aid delivery while continuing its offensive. “They want to clear Gaza of Palestinian people, and that is a war crime,” he said, condemning the forcible displacement of Palestinians under the guise of humanitarian aid.
EU diplomats targeted in West Bank
Harris also condemned the Israeli military for firing "warning shots" near a delegation of European diplomats visiting Jenin in the occupied West Bank. Two Irish diplomats were among those present.
"This is an utterly, utterly inappropriate and indeed illegal action," Harris said. "They were visiting, effectively, an area that’s a refugee camp... and the Israeli Defence Forces stepped forward and fired warning shots over their heads."
Rejecting the Israeli military’s explanation that the shots were fired due to the delegation deviating from an agreed route, Harris said, "Do they think we’re thick? They knew that diplomats were visiting the region, and the diplomats notified the Israeli Defence Forces in advance. I find it utterly offensive."
Harris demanded a full investigation into the incident and called for accountability for those who gave or executed the order to fire.
The Irish government, according to Harris, will explore drafting legislation to ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. He also urged the suspension of the EU-"Israel" Association Agreement, which is currently under review.
He acknowledged that efforts to achieve the so-called two-state solution now seem "further away than ever before."
Harris condemns attack in Washington
Separately, Harris strongly condemned the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy officials at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC. Calling the incident a "vile antisemitic murder," he confirmed that a young woman from the Irish embassy was also present at the event.
"This is a vile antisemitic murder of two young members of the Israeli embassy – a young couple, I believe, who were due to very shortly be engaged. It’s a heinous crime," Harris claimed.
Following the shooting, the suspect, identified as Elias Rodriguez, 30, from Chicago, Illinois, entered the museum, where he was apprehended by event security. While in custody, he reportedly chanted “Free, Free Palestine,” according to Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith.
BREAKING | #EliasRodriguez, 30, of Chicago, Illinois, was arrested after allegedly shooting two Israeli embassy staff members outside the Capital Jewish Museum on 3rd and F streets in northwest #Washington, D.C.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) May 22, 2025
Those killed were leaving an American Jewish Committee event when… pic.twitter.com/nYCzDpk6nC
