Israeli foreign minister accuses Ireland of rewarding terrorism, sharing bizarre video of Irish trad music and Hamas fighters
The Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs has accused Ireland of rewarding terrorism, sharing a video to social media of Hamas fighters soundtracked by traditional Irish music.
The 19-second clip shows the Irish flag and Irish dancers interspersed with footage of Hamas fighters and the caption that the terrorist organisation “thanks Ireland” in the aftermath of the decision to recognise Palestinian statehood.
“Ireland, if your goal was to reward terrorism by declaring support for a Palestinian state, you’ve achieved it,” the Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz said.
"@SimonHarrisTD, Hamas thanks you for your service.”
The Irish Government announced its decision yesterday to formally recognise the state of Palestine, alongside Norway and Spain. The process will formally happen next Tuesday.
Mr Katz yesterday announced the “immediate recall” of Israel’s ambassadors to Ireland and Norway following their decisions to recognised Palestinian statehood.
"I’m sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the face of those undermining its sovereignty and endangering its security,” he said, describing the decision as message to Palestinians that “terrorism pays”.
He said Ireland and Norway “chose to reward Hamas and Iran by recognizing a Palestinian state”.
"Israel will not remain silent - there will be further severe consequences. If Spain follows through on its intention to recognize a Palestinian state, a similar step will be taken against it,” he said.
“The Irish-Norwegian folly does not deter us; we are determined to achieve our goals: restoring security to our citizens, dismantling Hamas, and bringing the hostages home. There are no more just causes than these.”
Taoiseach Simon Harris was on Thursday asked about the warnings issued.
He said: “I had a very good conversation with the president of Israel (Isaac Herzog) last Friday. It was firm but respectful.
“We exchanged views and I outlined the Irish position, so I don’t think anyone in the world, least of all Israel, would have been surprised by the decision that Ireland, Norway and Spain took yesterday.
“I fundamentally believe that it is the right decision. It is an effort to try and create momentum towards a peace process that may seem far away but is absolutely and essentially needed.
“A two-state solution is the only way to bring peace and stability to the people of Israel and the people of Palestine.
“I would say very clearly to the Israeli Government, we very much recognise the state of Israel, its right to live in peace and security, but you can absolutely say that and also say the next bit – that the people of Palestine have a right to live in peace and security and the humanitarian catastrophe that’s unfolding in Palestine, in Gaza, needs to end.”
Taoiseach Simon Harris has said the recognition of Palestine would make a “fundamental difference”, adding that Ireland wanted to be “on the right side of history”.
Speaking to RTÉ’s Six One, Mr Harris said: “Hamas is not the Palestinian people and that’s a really important point of differentiation.
"Ireland deplores the actions of Hamas. It’s an illegal terrorist organisation. Our position on Israel or Hamas should never be misrepresented.
“This humanitarian catastrophe needs to end. The only way you end conflict, ultimately, is through a political process.
“It has always been the position of Ireland that we recognise states and not governments. There is a state of Israel, there is a state of Palestine, and both have an equal right to live in peace and security.”
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