Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defense, Simon Harris, has called on the European Union to adopt a united stance against Israel over its actions in Gaza.
He warned that Ireland may coordinate with like-minded countries if the EU fails to act collectively.
Posting on X ahead of an EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Copenhagen, Harris stressed that statements of condemnation are no longer enough as the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza deepens. He described the scenes of Palestinians searching for food amid famine and relentless military assaults as deeply shocking.
Harris demanded an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian aid into Gaza. He also urged the EU to take concrete measures against Israel for violating its partnership agreement with the bloc, adding that Europe’s credibility is at stake if it fails to respond decisively.
He said the EU must pressure Israel to end famine conditions in Gaza, declaring that his message in Copenhagen was delivered on behalf of the Irish people. Harris also cautioned that countries sharing similar positions could be forced to act independently if the EU avoids collective measures.
The call comes days after the Israeli army ordered residents of Gaza City and the northern Strip to evacuate southwards. In a statement, Israel’s military said the evacuation was inevitable before the next phase of the war, promising displaced families greater access to humanitarian aid, including tents, food distribution centers, and water supply projects.
Gaza’s population is facing unprecedented levels of hunger, with UN agencies warning of famine and rising deaths from malnutrition, particularly among children, the sick, and people with disabilities.
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