United Nations, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Tánaiste Micheál Martin respond to recent outbreak of violence in Israel and Gaza

The United Nations, An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and an Tánaiste Micheál Martin are amongst those condemning the eruption of military hostilities in Israel and Gaza this past weekend.

UN security council members held an emergency meeting after it was reported that hundreds of people were killed, and thousands injured following rocket fire into Israel on Saturday morning.

Ensuing Israeli responses to the Hamas attacks included airstrikes in Gaza, where UN agency UNRWA has reported massive damage alongside aq steeply rising death toll.

Top UN officials have called for an immediate end to the violence.

Secretary-General António Guterres condemned “in the strongest terms” the attack by Hamas against Israeli towns, while UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric urged “maximum restraint” and that “all diplomatic efforts” should be made “to avoid a wider conflagration”.

“Civilians must be respected and protected in accordance with international humanitarian law at all times,” said Dujarric in a statement released on Saturday 7 October.

“The firing of rockets by Hamas and the loss of life in fighting is appalling,” said Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on X (formery Twitter). “As is the impact on people going about their daily lives. We condemn attacks on civilians unequivocally. The fighting should stop immediately."

Tánaiste Micheál Martin also took to social media, condemning the attacks by Hamas and stating that he’s “very concerned now about civilians both in Israel and in Gaza.”

“It’s very important that every effort is made to de-escalate the violence and protect lives of innocent civilians,” he added.

Speaking to the media earlier I strongly condemned the attacks by Hamas on Israel. I’m very concerned now about civilians both in Israel and in Gaza and it’s very important that every effort is made to de-escalate the violence and protect lives of innocent civilians. pic.twitter.com/vCFIRu1HAK

— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) October 7, 2023

The President of the EU Commission, Ursula Von Der Leyen, was similarly critical of Hamas’ actions.

“The full scale of the brutality of the Hamas terror attack leaves us breathless,” she said. “Defenceless people, brutally murdered in cold blood on the streets. We stand strong with Israel and its people. Today the EU and Israeli flags fly side by side.”

The statements issued by political leaders have been criticised by some members of the Irish music community.

“Micheal, the spineless, hypocritical comments from you and Von Der Leyen on the situation in Palestine have rendered you both unworthy of respect,” said musician and actor Steve Wall on X (Twitter), in response to the Tánaiste’s comments. “You have condoned apartheid in your refusal to condemn Israeli crimes.” The tweet has since been removed.

Minister Martin faced further social media backlash from singer and member of Seanad Eireann, Frances Black.

“Michael Martin Condemning the attack on Israel while not condemning settler attacks on villages in the West Bank & the killing of over 200 Palestinians including 34 Children in 2023 is unacceptable,” said Black. “Israel has been committing war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank 4 years!”