Tánaiste dismisses Israeli Defence Minister's 'plans' for Gazans as a "distraction"

Ireland's Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris responded to Israel's Minister of Defence Israel Katz's claims on Thursday that Ireland is "legally obligated to allow Gazans to enter their territory."

"The priority for Ireland and the international community must remain on ensuring the sustainability of the ceasefire, the release of the hostages, a significant surge in humanitarian aid, the rebuilding of Gaza, and a political process that delivers a two-state solution," a spokesperson for Harris said on Thursday, according to the Irish Examiner.

"The objective must be that the people of Palestine return safely to their home and any comments to the contrary are unhelpful and a source of distraction."

TD Thomas Byrne, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, further said: "There can be no forced displacement of the civilian population of Gaza."

He added: "A massive scale-up of aid into Gaza is a key objective at this juncture. We want to see a return of basic services, and a clear framework under which those displaced can return."

Earlier on Thursday, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on social media that he has instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) "to prepare a plan that will allow any resident of Gaza who wishes to leave to do so, to any country willing to receive them."

The plan, Katz said, will include exit options via land crossings as well as special arrangements for departure by sea and air.

Katz claimed: "Hamas has used the residents of Gaza as human shields, built its terror infrastructure in the heart of the civilian population, and now holds them hostage—extorting money from them through the humanitarian aid system and preventing their departure from Gaza."

He continued: "Countries such as Spain, Ireland, Norway, and others, which have falsely accused Israel over its actions in Gaza, are legally obligated to allow Gazans to enter their territory. Their hypocrisy will be exposed if they refuse.

"Meanwhile, countries like Canada, which has a structured immigration program, have previously expressed willingness to take in residents from Gaza."

In May of last year, Ireland, in concert with Spain and Norway formally recognized Palestine as a state, joining more than 140 of the 196 member states of the United Nations in doing so.

After Ireland moved to formally recognize Palestine, Katz said Ireland had 'rewarded terrorism' and brought Ireland's Ambassadors, as well as the Ambassadors from Spain and Norway, in for a "severe demarche," a move that was slammed as "totally unacceptable" by then Tanaiste Micheal Martin.

Katz further claimed that "recognition of a Palestinian state constitutes the renunciation of our hostages." Since October 7, 2023, Ireland has been steadfast in calling for the release of all hostages.

Responding to Katz's criticisms last spring, then Taoiseach Simon Harris said on CNN: "Anything else in terms of videos from foreign ministries and the likes is distracting from the very, very serious issue of the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding."

On Thursday, Katz continued: "The people of Gaza should have the right to freedom of movement and migration, as is customary everywhere in the world."

The Israeli Foreign Minister went on to say that he welcomes US President Donald Trump's "bold initiative" that he unveiled while hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington, DC this week.

Trump told reporters that he would like to see the people of Gaza "resettled" in other countries, such as Jordan or Egypt. Trump went on to say that the "US will take over Gaza."

Trump's plans "amount to an alarming escalation of forced displacement and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza," Human Rights Watch said afterward.

On Thursday morning, Trump reiterated his plans in a post on his Truth Social platform: "The Gaza Strip would be turned over to the United States by Israel at the conclusion of fighting.

"The Palestinians, people like Chuck Schumer, would have already been resettled in far safer and more beautiful communities, with new and modern homes, in the region. They would actually have a chance to be happy, safe, and free.

"The U.S., working with great development teams from all over the World, would slowly and carefully begin the construction of what would become one of the greatest and most spectacular developments of its kind on Earth.

"No soldiers by the U.S. would be needed! Stability for the region would reign!!!"