Taoiseach Simon Harris reiterated his calls for a ceasefire in Gaza on Thursday, October 24 while speaking at the US-Ireland Economic Summit which was hosted by the US Embassy at the US Ambassador to Ireland's residence in Dublin.
Speaking after an introduction from the US Ambassador, the Taoiseach segued his commentary on the Irish and American relationship to matters in the Middle East.
“As we celebrate 100 years of diplomatic relations between the US and Ireland, I do believe the future of our relationship is bright, I believe that it’s a partnership that can and must continue to thrive and continue to grow," the Taoiseach said toward the end of his roughly 15-minute address.
“To do this, we require collaboration and a shared commitment to addressing the challenges of a rapidly changing global economy.
“We’re living in an extraordinarily turbulent world. We’re living in a world where we’re witnessing a level of violent devastation, which must compel us to consider every possible action to bring it to an end, including ones that may not even normally be considered.
“It’s always important to talk honestly to friends, and no matter what differing perspectives may exist, there can surely be unity on the desperate need for a ceasefire in Gaza, an end to violence in the Middle East, the release of all the hostages and the flow of humanitarian aid.
“I know President Biden and I very much share this view, and I wish God’s speed to Secretary of State Blinken in his ongoing work and current efforts in the region.
“But let’s be clear, we have to use every lever at the disposal of every country to stop the killing, to stop the violence.
“Right across the world people speak different languages, but you know one language that is universal? The cry of a child, and the world cannot ignore the cries of the children of Gaza any longer.”
The audience applauded the Taoiseach’s remarks.
Overall, the Summit marked the 100 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and the US.
In her opening remarks, US Ambassador Claire D. Cronin noted that Ireland and the US have a trade and investment relationship of more than $1 trillion.
She said that while the US and Ireland face challenges that demand collaboration such as climate change, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical shifts, these challenges present new opportunities for innovation.
Other speakers at the US-Ireland Economic Summit are Ambassador Karen Kornbluh, White House Principal Deputy Chief Technology Officer; Mary Frances Repko, White House Deputy National Climate Advisor; Joseph Kennedy III, US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs; Mairead McGuinness, European Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services, and the Capital Markets Union; Steve Pagliuca, American private equity investor; and Shawn Henry, Chief Security Officer at CrowdStrike.
The Taoiseach was speaking a day after Tánaiste Micheál Martin announced that Ireland's Occupied Territories Bill, introduced in 2018 and stalled in the Dáil since 2020, "will be reviewed and amendments will be prepared in order to bring it into line with the Constitution and EU law."
The Bill aims to ban trade between Ireland and Israel’s illegal settlements in Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Earlier this month, the Taoiseach offered similar comments regarding the Middle East while in the US, where he enjoyed a private meeting with US President Joe Biden at The White House.
After his meeting in the Oval Office, Harris told reporters: "Obviously, I made it clear to the President, the Irish view - it's a view I make clear in public and private - that all countries should be doing everything within their capacity to stop the violence.
"Of course, in relation to the United States, that does involve the issue of arming and providing arms and munitions.
"But, I have to say quite honestly, I've left the Oval Office clear in the view that President Biden had a very important conversation with the Prime Minister of Israel today and I really hope that that yields significant results because the current situation - the killings, the bombings, the maimings - it cannot continue. It's utterly disproportionate.
"I again made the point to the President that Ireland, of all countries, knows that the only way you bring about peace is through dialogue and a political process."
Al Jazeera reported on Wednesday that there have been at least 42,792 people, including nearly 16,765 children, killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023. More than 100,412 people have been injured, and more than 10,000 are missing.
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