Taoiseach Simon Harris stops short of committing to ask US President Joe Biden to stop arming Israel
Taoiseach Simon Harris will meet US President Joe Biden in the White House on Wednesday evening.
by Louise Burne · Irish MirrorTaoiseach Simon Harris has stopped short of saying he will ask US President Joe Biden to reconsider providing arms to Israel during a meeting in the Oval Office. Mr Harris was asked at least five times if he would raise the issue with Mr Biden but did not give a firm commitment.
Ahead of this meeting with President Biden, which is being held to mark 100 years of Irish-US relations, the Taoiseach vowed to raise Irish concerns about the ongoing war in the Middle East.
He stressed that he would speak about the war “through the lens of what it must be like to be a child”, stating that the piercing “cry of a child is a universal language.”
When former Taoiseach Leo Varakdar visited Washington in March, President Biden told him the US would not stop arming Israel.
READ MORE: US President Joe Biden 'postpones' ceremony with Taoiseach Simon Harris in Washington
On Wednesday, Mr Harris was asked five times if he would ask Mr Biden to stop sending arms to Israel but stopped short of committing to do so. He said that “every country in the world should be using every lever at its disposal to help bring about a ceasefire” and this will mean “different things” for different countries.
He confirmed that the Attorney General will brief Irish political leaders on Irish-Israeli trade and the Occupied Territories Bill next week.
He said: “It's up to the United States to determine what more it can do. Ireland's foreign policy is proudly independent. Alongside that recognition of being an independent state, we can have an independent foreign policy. We don't have to align or agree on every single issue.
“I'm crystal clear on the position of the Governments that I lead and on the position of the people of Ireland in terms of a view that more must be done. “
Asked again if he would tell President Biden that arming Israel is objectionable to Ireland, Mr Harris once again did not directly answer but stated that “if anybody's doing anything that is continuing to aid more, that is not consistent with the Irish position. President Biden understands the Irish position”.
He added that everyone has to “look at every lever at its disposal”, including the supply of arms. “We're always honest with friends and Ireland considers the United States of America to be a friend,” Mr Harris said.
“There's absolutely no doubt in my mind that President Biden wants to see a ceasefire. He has said that so many times. He said it to me as recently as Monday on the phone. He said it publicly. Secretary of State [Anthony] Blinken has been to the region countless times.
“There is no doubt in my mind that the European Union wants to see a ceasefire. But, so far, all of those efforts have been ineffective in terms of bringing about a ceasefire.
“What I will say – and I don't have my conversations with President Biden publicly. What I say to absolutely everybody is, ‘If everybody wants a ceasefire and the world has failed to bring about a ceasefire. What more can be done?’
Mr Harris is in Washington DC to mark 100 years of Irish-US relations. Due to the onset of Hurricane Milton in Florida, President Biden postponed a ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House to celebrate the anniversary. Other events, including the meeting with President Biden in the Oval Office, will take place.
He denied that the trip was a “waste of taxpayer money”, stating that the only thing that had been “scaled back were the canopies”.
The Taoiseach also responded to comments from Donald Trump’s former advisor Matthew RJ Brodsky who said that Israel should “drop napalm” over Irish peacekeeping troops in Lebanon” in a now-deleted social media post.
Mr Harris said: “Isn't that just the most disgusting thing you can possibly have heard? Disgusting and inappropriate.”
Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.