Statement from Taoiseach Simon Harris on the situation in the Middle East
- Published on: 23 September 2024
- Last updated on: 12 April 2025
Taoiseach Simon Harris is deeply concerned by the escalation of military actions on the Israeli-Lebanon border and calls on all sides to pull back from the brink of all-out war:
“I am extremely concerned by the overnight bombardment of Southern Lebanon, the massive loss of life reported there and the spectre that now arises of a second catastrophic front in the war in the Middle East.”
The Taoiseach was speaking at the United Nations (UN) in New York where he is addressing a “Save The Children” event alongside the Queen of Jordan and the Prime Ministers of Belgium and Slovenia as well as the Director General of The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.
“This week the world gathers at the UN to discuss peace and working together, while at the same time the Middle East is on the brink of further human catastrophe. An all-out war must be avoided at all costs. I will be using all my engagements at the UN to stress this point and I fully support the appeal from President Biden overnight for that to be the focus of all sides.”
The Taoiseach added that he is closely monitoring the situation with Irish troops serving in Southern Lebanon:
“The Government is receiving regular updates, and the Chief of Staff and Defence Forces are in constant contact and monitoring developments. Our troops in UNIFIL are well trained and their safety is our main concern.”
The Taoiseach will meet a number of heads of government and state from the Middle East at the UN.
ENDS