Press release
Taoiseach meets with Arab and Islamic representatives to discuss Gaza, Irish citizens and hostages
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar met on Tuesday evening with a group of Arab Ambassadors to Ireland, and with representatives of some Islamic countries, to discuss the situation in Gaza and Irish citizens in the territory including Emily Hand.
Speaking after the meeting in Government Buildings with representatives of member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and with Arab Ambassadors to Ireland, he said:
“My meeting with representatives from Arab States and from the Islamic world was an opportunity to hear their views on the deteriorating situation in Gaza and the West Bank, and on the conflict between Israel and Hamas. We discussed the dire humanitarian circumstances in Gaza, agreed on the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire, and a significant scaling up of humanitarian access and aid to civilians.
“The enormous number of civilian deaths is deeply shocking. International Humanitarian Law applies in all conflicts, in all circumstances, to State and non-State actors alike. Attacks on schools and healthcare facilities must cease. I particularly emphasised the need for us to work with our partners in the Middle East to deescalate the crisis, and turn our efforts back to securing a sustainable peace based on the two-State solution.
“I thanked the Ambassadors for their countries’ support in helping 51 Irish citizens and their dependents to leave Gaza. I also asked the representatives to use any influence their countries have to secure the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages being held in Gaza by Hamas. In particular, I raised the case of Emily Hand and asked for continued assistance to help secure her release.”
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation is the second largest inter-governmental organisation in the world after the UN, comprising 57 States in Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, South America and Europe.
Ireland has strongly condemned the attacks carried out by Hamas on 7 October and has consistently called for the unconditional release of hostages held by Hamas. Ireland has also been consistent in calling for a ceasefire to enable a significant scaling up of humanitarian access and supplies to civilians in Gaza, to allow Irish and EU citizens to leave should they wish to, and to facilitate the release of hostages.