Upcoming Irish PM Simon Harris calls for a ceasefire in Gaza

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
9 Apr 2024 08:54

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

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.

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.