Preasráitis
Taoiseach speaks to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
Foilsithe
An t-eolas is déanaí
Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
Foilsithe
An t-eolas is déanaí
Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
Taoiseach Simon Harris today spoke with the President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas to express the solidarity and unbreakable support of the people of Ireland to the people of Palestine.
The Taoiseach told Mahmoud Abbas that the heartbreaking conditions and loss of innocent life in Gaza this year weigh heavily on the minds of many Irish people as they gather with their families for Christmas this week.
The Taoiseach pledged that Ireland will continue to use its voice and influence at every opportunity in every international forum it can from the EU to the UN – as well as through direct bilateral relations with Israel and Palestine – to bring about a ceasefire and to start to rebuild shattered lives.
The Taoiseach said:
“While speaking to President Abbas it was foremost in my mind that the heart-shattering milestone of more than 45,000 dead was passed earlier this month, of which nearly 15,000 were innocent children. President Abbas told me that 50 people have died and 100 have been injured in Gaza every day in 2024. On top of this, we have seen so-called safe zones bombed in the last few days and the conditions in Gaza as described by the UN are horrific.
“1.1 million children are living in hellish conditions. Families lack the most basic items, including food, clothing, shoes, mattresses, blankets, and kitchen supplies. There is a dangerous shortage of medicines, with diseases spreading rapidly due to the cold. Tens of thousands of people are living at sites with no basic services at all. That’s no bathroom, no water and no food. It is also deeply troubling that the West Bank and East Jerusalem continue to see buildings being cleared and demolished.
“The risk of famine has not subsided and the only conclusion that can fairly be drawn at the end of 2024 is that the world has failed the innocent people of Gaza.”
The Taoiseach and Abbas also touched on Ireland’s decision, alongside Spain and Norway, to recognise the State of Palestine in May with President Abbas thanking Ireland again today. President Abbas also said that the Palestinian Ambassador, Dr Jilan Abdalmajid, officially presenting her credentials to Ireland this week was a great honour.
The Taoiseach added:
“There were some who criticised our decision to recognise Palestine but I am resolute in the words I said on that day in May, ‘there is never a wrong time to do the right thing’.
“Many leaders whose countries have yet to recognise the state of Palestine have expressed their respect towards Ireland, Spain and Norway’s decision. Our recognition of Palestine took nothing away from Israel and I have spoken or met in person with President Herzog of Israel on several occasions this year.”
The Taoiseach and President Abbas spoke of the importance of ongoing international support for UNRWA to keep Gaza’s fragile education and health system standing. They also discussed the first group of eight seriously injured Palestinian children being medically evacuated to Ireland this week for treatment.
Finally, the leaders looked forward to 2025 and the need for a ceasefire and an end to the bloodshed to be the top priority of all major powers and parties to the conflict. The Taoiseach pledged Ireland would use every opportunity to achieve this.