Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen correspondent to southern Lebanon: Israeli warplanes launched a raid on the Ksar Zaatar neighborhood in western Nabatieh.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The tower destroyed by the Israeli occupation in Gaza includes media offices, including Al Mayadeen's bureau.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Four fetuses and three premature babies died at Nasser Medical Complex due to malnutrition
Lebanese Ministry of Health: One person was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a car in the town of Burj Qalawieh, south Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The first ship of the Maghreb fleet delivering aid to break the siege on Gaza departs from the port of Gammarth in Tunisia.
Channel 12: Airspace closed at Ramon Airport due to fears of drone infiltration
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded over an aircraft infiltration in the Bir Ora area, and details are being examined
Drone infiltration sirens sound north of the Gulf of Aqaba
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out five extremely violent raids on the western areas of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out major bombings in the Gaza Strip, the most violent since October 7

Upcoming Irish PM Simon Harris calls for a ceasefire in Gaza

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 9 Apr 2024 07:54
4 Min Read

Following the abrupt resignation of Leo Varadkar, Ireland's Parliament will appoint Simon Harris as the country's new PM.

  • x
  • Ireland's new prime minister, Simon Harris, in an undated photo (Social Media)
    Ireland's new Prime Minister Simon Harris, in an undated photo (Social media)

Ireland will officially appoint Simon Harris as the country's new prime minister following the sudden resignation of former Prime Minister Leo Varadkar. 

Harris was voted in an uncontested election by the center-right Fine Gael party, a third of the three-party governing coalition. He said in a press conference with his party members that he intends to revitalize the party itself and several core sectors such as farming, business, and law and order. 

Addressing the public, he opted to directly condemn Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's genocide in Gaza, saying Ireland is "repulsed" by his actions, and called for an immediate ceasefire.

Incoming Ireland Prime Minister Simon Harris: "Prime Minister Netanyahu, let me say this to you this evening: The Irish people could not be clearer. We are repulsed by your actions. Ceasefire NOW and let the aid flow safely!" pic.twitter.com/48QHk5ivAA

— COMBATE |🇵🇷 (@upholdreality) April 9, 2024

Who is Simon Harris? 

Simon Harris has now set the record for the youngest leader Ireland has seen so far. At just 37 years old, he was named Ireland's prime minister following years of political formation.

He had been a member of the Fine Gael party since he was 16 years old and made his way up the political ladder in a brief period. 

At 22, he was chosen as county councilor. At 24, he was elected as a parliament member, the youngest at the time, earning him the nickname "Baby of the Dail" (Irish Parliament). 

In 2016, at 29 years old, he was appointed as health minister, then education minister in 2020.

Related News

Israeli forces raid al-Aqsa library, step up West Bank demolitions

Netanyahu warns of Israeli isolation, calls to boost self-reliance

He is well-known for his top-notch communication skills and his popularity among Ireland's community, both of which are expected to re-energize and revamp his political party's social and political standing, as it slumps behind the rest. 

Why did Varadkar step down?

Last month, Varadkar abruptly resigned from his position for personal reasons, saying he did not believe he was the best person to lead the country anymore. He had been serving his second term as prime minister when he handed in his resignation. 

"Politicians are human beings. We have our limitations... We give it everything until we can't anymore and then we have to move on," he told his Fine Gael party on March 20. 

Just a week before, the Irish PM called out US support for "Israel" at the White House in front of the US President who just looked on. 

"I think none of us like to see American weapons being used in the way they are. The way they're being used at the moment is not self-defense," Varadkar said after meeting with Biden in the Oval Office.

Varadkar was in Washington to take part in St. Patrick's Day celebrations, and he had a meeting with Biden.

Palestinians "need the bombs to stop," the Irish Prime Minister stressed, as he made a plea for a ceasefire in Gaza, speaking during the reception

"The people of Gaza desperately need food, medicine, and shelter, and most especially they need the bombs to stop," Varadkar underlined.

The prime minister, also known as the Taoiseach in Irish, has been one of Europe's most critical leaders in the Israeli war on Gaza.

He pointed out that "the Irish people are deeply troubled about the catastrophe that's unfolding before our eyes in Gaza."

"We see our history in their eyes, a story of displacement, of dispossession, and [in which] national identity questions are denied. Forced emigration, discrimination, and now hunger," he expressed, invoking his country's memories of its own struggles against British rule.

Read more: Ireland pulls multimillion-euro investment from six Israeli companies

  • Palestine
  • Simon Harris
  • Israel
  • Leo Varadkar
  • Ireland
  • Gaza
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

The damaged building in the Katara neighborhood, Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2025 (Social media)

Hamas delegation survives Israeli assassination attempt in Qatar

  • Politics
  • 9 Sep 2025
Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

American far-right activist Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025
A screengrab from the ad played on Fox News. (X Screengrab)

Fox airs ad warning Trump not to let Netanyahu 'play' him on Gaza

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Australia warned of deadly climate risks in landmark report
Environment

Millions at risk from rising seas, extreme heat in Australia: Report

DPRK leader Kim Jong Un inspects a new weapons factory in undisclosed location, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, August 31, 2025 (AP)
Politics

DPRK defies US, says nuclear state status 'permanently enshrined'

Soldier F faces trial over bloody Sunday killings after 53 years
Miscellaneous

British Soldier F faces trial over Bloody Sunday killings after 53 yrs

Pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrate at the University of Sydney to protest the Israel Hamas war, Wednesday, April 24, 2024 (AP)
Politics

Protest outside ABC decries media silence on Gaza journalist killings

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS