Leo Varadkar and Micheál Martin call for an immediate end to hostilities and a renewed focus on a two-state solution

Irish leaders have strongly condemned the recent Hamas attack on Israel and called for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict. Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar expressed horror at the rocket attacks and the resulting loss of life, describing the violence as “appalling.” He stressed the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities, stating, “We condemn attacks on civilians unequivocally. The fighting should stop immediately.”

Micheál Martin, Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, echoed Varadkar’s call for moderation, stressing the importance of “moderate voices” in bringing an end to the conflict. He expressed concern for civilians in Gaza and condemned the attack, which he said was “without justification.”

Martin also reaffirmed Ireland’s support for a two-state solution as the only viable path to lasting peace. He noted that the rising influence of hardline factions in the region made it more crucial than ever to have moderate voices advocating for a political solution. “What we need really is a political peace process to get on track in a serious way,” he said, calling for international intervention to facilitate the process.

On the question of Israel’s military response to the Hamas attack, Martin indicated that more information was required before making an assessment. He reiterated his longstanding position that bombings in urban areas often lead to unjustifiable civilian casualties, emphasizing Ireland’s commitment to international conventions regarding such actions. However, he also acknowledged the severity of the Hamas attack and expressed concern for the people of Gaza.

Martin’s comments came after a recent diplomatic trip to the region, during which he met with Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog, as well as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.