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
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

Upcoming Irish PM Simon Harris calls for a ceasefire in Gaza

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

Poland condemns Gaza starvation

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

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

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

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