Taoiseach says he made Irish position on Gaza clear to US President at White House

Taoiseach Simon Harris had a private meeting with US President Joe Biden at The White House on Wednesday, October 9 to mark 100 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and the US. 

"Good to meet with President of the United States tonight in the Oval Office," the Taoiseach said on X on Wednesday evening.

"We marked 100 years of diplomatic relations between our two countries.

"We also discussed a range of important issues including Northern Ireland and the need to replace the Legacy Act, the reset in Anglo-Irish relations, the undocumented Irish in the US, our peacekeepers in Lebanon and their safety.

"Crucially we spoke of the need to bring about an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East, an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the need for aid to flow, and for a two state solution. 

"Grateful to President Biden for his time."

Good to meet with President of the United States tonight in the Oval Office. We marked 100 years of diplomatic relations between our two countries. pic.twitter.com/ytwHXYf1ev

— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) October 9, 2024

The Department of the Taoiseach had announced in September that Harris had accepted an invitation from the White House to visit in October to mark 100 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and the US.

The original plans included an event - understood to be a reception to mark the centenary in the Rose Garden at the White House - after the meeting between the two leaders, but President Biden nixed it on Monday in light of Hurricane Milton's imminent landfall in Florida.

In the White House on Wednesday, Biden apologized for having to cancel the reception: “I’m sorry, we had hoped to have a big celebration for the 100th anniversary."

While the meeting was to mark the century of diplomatic relations, the situation in the Middle East loomed large over the discussion between the two leaders.

Harris told reporters after his m meeting that Biden briefed him about his call with Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu that took place earlier in the day.

"He left me in no doubt that this was a conversation of substance and of depth in terms of actions Israel needs to take, in terms of aid, humanitarian aid, in terms of bringing about a ceasefire," Harris told reporters.

"He left me in absolutely no doubt about the redoubling of efforts by his own administration and others to try to bring about a ceasefire.

"He left me in no doubt that he sees a two-state solution as the only way forward in terms of bringing peace and stability to the region.

"And, of course, while everybody accepts that Israel has a right to defend itself, I'm very clear that what's happening now is certainly not that."

Taoiseach says US President Joe Biden briefed him on his phone call with Netanyahu. pic.twitter.com/UzZosvccGu

— Christina Finn (@christinafinn8) October 9, 2024

Harris went on to say: "It's for the President to speak to his conversation with the Prime Minister of Israel, but I'm very clear after my conversation with President Biden that when he spoke to Prime Minister Netanyahu today that it was a very serious conversation of substance about bringing about a cessation of violence.

"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."

Taoiseach Simon Harris has expressed hopes that a "very lengthy" discussion between US President Joe Biden and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will yield "significant results" in efforts to secure a ceasefire in the Middle East | https://t.co/o41Zhd1iun pic.twitter.com/2adjFX3aB3

— RTÉ News (@rtenews) October 9, 2024

Harris told reporters that he and Biden discussed a number of other matters, including Irish troops in Lebanon, as well as the situation in Ukraine.

Regarding Northern Ireland, RTÉ News reports that Harris said he briefed Biden "on the reset in Anglo/Irish relations that myself and [British] Prime Minister Starmer have underway and how I believe that will bring practical benefits for people across our island and across the two islands.

"We specifically discussed the issue of legacy, an issue which I know President Biden is deeply committed to, in terms of making sure that we have a mechanism for families in Northern Ireland, for victims to have truth, reconciliation and justice and I reiterated my view and the Irish Government's view that the current Legacy Act is not compatible with human rights and the current Legacy Act needs to be repealed and replaced.

"I acknowledged Prime Minister Starmer's work in relation to that and our wish to work with him on that."

Harris also raised the longstanding matter of undocumented Irish in the US.

"I said to the President that obviously this is an issue that the Irish Government will continue to pursue.

"I'm conscious that there's Congressional and Presidential elections to take place in the weeks ahead, but it's something that will remain high on the list of activities and campaigns by our embassy here in Washington."

Meanwhile, a readout issued by The White House on Wednesday night said: "President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met with Taoiseach Simon Harris of the Republic of Ireland today in the Oval Office to mark 100 years of diplomatic relations between the United States and Ireland.

"The President reflected on the deep cultural, people-to-people and economic ties between the two countries, and expressed confidence that the next 100 years will see even deeper cooperation.

"The President and Taoiseach Harris affirmed that the United States and Ireland will continue to strengthen our partnership and friendship - founded on our shared history, heritage, and hope - in the years ahead."