Ireland will not expel Israeli ambassador despite 'war on children' - Harris

The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has confirmed the Government does not intend to expel the Israeli ambassador despite the continuation of what he called Israel's "war on children". 

Minister Simon Harris, who is filling in for Taoiseach Leo Varadkar today (Tuesday November 14), made the comments during Leaders' Questions in the Dáil. 

In a clip seen by tens of thousands of people on social media platform X, Minister Harris said, "There's absolutely no doubt that what Hamas did was despicable. We've all condemned it, it deserves absolute condemnation, it was an act of terror on the people of Israel.

"It should be condemned, and of course Israel had a right to defend itself. But that original right to defend itself has in my view now become a war on children. 

"You cannot build peace on the mass graves of children. It is unfortunate that a country has become blinded by rage." 

However, responding to Labour leader Deputy Ivana Bacik's query on whether the Government will support a motion to expel the Israeli ambassador, he said, "...we do not intend to call off diplomatic relations with this country." 

According to Minister Harris, communication must be kept open as there are approximately 40 Irish citizens still in Gaza. 

Wow. Simon Harris says Israel is now engaged in a “war on children” and seems, to him; to be “blinded by rage”.

“You cannot build peace on the graves of children,” he tells the Dáil.@virginmedianews pic.twitter.com/qPEP1iRryH

— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) November 14, 2023

He said, "I do think objectively this government, this Oireachtas, this country has been, to use your words, very firm and very clear in relation to this issue. In many ways the position of Ireland is becoming the position of more and more countries, a growing coalition of countries who are calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. 

"When many countries chose to abstain at the United Nations, Ireland didn't. It is fair to say Ireland has had a very clear and consistent position articulated by the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, many people in opposition and many people in government. 

"I think the most practical thing we can do, and I'm not playing politics, I don't mean this dismissively, is rather than passing more motions in this house I think the most practical thing we can do is for our foreign minister, our deputy prime minister our Tánaiste to go to the region, to go to Egypt, to go to Israel, to go to the occupied Palestinian territories to advocate for our citizens and to advocate for peace. 

"So we do not intend to call off diplomatic relations with this country, with Israel, because we believe that would mean cutting off communication channels.

"But we do intend to make sure people are held accountable for their actions, to support the work of the International Criminal Court, to add additional money to it and continue our advocacy for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and the release of Irish citizens." 

Eight year old Emily Hand, daughter of Irishman Thomas Hand, is believed to be one of the hostages held in Gaza. 

She was previously thought to be deceased after the attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023.