LAST UPDATE | 21 Nov 2023
TAOISEACH LEO VARADKAR this evening met with representatives from Arab and Islamic States to discuss the conflict in the Middle East.
He said they discussed the “deteriorating situation” that is the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as well as a plan to secure the release of Emily Hand, a nine-year-old Irish-Israeli girl who was taken hostage by Hamas during the 9 October attacks.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, which had representatives at the meeting, is the second largest inter-governmental organisation in the world after the UN, comprising 57 States in Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, South America, and Europe.
It’s understood that Varadkar thanked the Ambassadors in attendance for their countries’ support in helping Irish citizens leave Gaza.
Speaking after the meeting, Varadkar described it as “an opportunity to hear their views on the deteriorating situation in Gaza and the West Bank”, restating his support for the “scaling up” of humanitarian access, as well as an immediate ceasefire.
“The enormous number of civilian deaths is deeply shocking,” he said.
“International Humanitarian Law applies in all conflicts, in all circumstances, to State and non-State actors alike. Attacks on schools and healthcare facilities must cease.
“I particularly emphasised the need for us to work with our partners in the Middle East to deescalate the crisis, and turn our efforts back to securing a sustainable peace based on the two-State solution.”
Ireland last month voted in favour of a Jordanian-sponsored UN General Assembly Resolution which called for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce” between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in Gaza.
The US and Israel were among 14 nations to oppose the resolution on 27 October, which is non-binding.
The UK, Australia, Germany, India, and Canada were among 45 nations to abstain from the vote.
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