Leo Varadkar not sure Israeli government is listening to anyone, including Joe Biden
Palestinians look at destruction after an Israeli strike on the Gaza Strip in Nusseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he is not sure that the Israeli government is listening to anyone, including US President Joe Biden.
Mr Varadkar said it was the “sad reality” that any statement from the US or the European Union would not change the course of action by Israel.
He was responding to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns during Leaders’ Questions who said Israel should not be congratulated for doing the “bare minimum” and ensuring millions of people in Gaza have water to drink is not “praiseworthy”.
It comes following the news that Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza for at least four days, to let in aid and release at least 50 hostages captured by militants in exchange for at least 150 Palestinians jailed in Israel.
Ms Carins asked Mr Varadkar to call on Israel for a complete ceasefire and not just a temporary pause.
In response, the Taoiseach said it is the “sad reality” that the Israeli government does not listen to the Irish Government and he is not sure if Israel is listening to the US anymore.
“Sadly the Israeli government doesn't listen to us. I'm not sure the Israeli government listens to anyone anymore. They used to listen to the Americans. I'm not even sure that's the case anymore. They are, as President Biden said, at risk of being blinded by rage.
“And it’s the sad reality that I'm not actually sure that any action or statement by us or the European Union or the US will change the current course of action that they’re on,” Mr Varadkar said.
The Taoiseach said that does not necessarily mean “that we don’t do the right thing.” He said the Government has increased humanitarian aid to Gaza and Palestine.
He added: “We have provided additional funding to the International Criminal Court so they can fund the investigation into war crimes that may have been committed in the Palestinian territories, and will continue to press at UN and EU level.”
The Taoiseach said when it comes to sanctions for Israel, the Government “strongly takes the view” that if sanctions are made, it should be on a multilateral basis.
Mr Varadkar said: “The whole point of sanctions is that they're supposed to do more harm to the country being sanctioned than the country imposing them and that should only be done in my view on a multilateral basis acting in concert with other countries."
