Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned Ireland's new Taoiseach Simon Harris for not mentioning hostages taken by Hamas during a Dáil speech this week where he spoke about the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Speaking in his inaugural Dáil speech as Taoiseach on Tuesday, Harris said: "In Gaza, we are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe and seeing innocent children, women and men being starved and slaughtered.
"We have not been silent on the unforgivable terrorist actions of Hamas on 7 October, nor can we be silent on the disproportionate reaction of the Israeli Government.
"As a country, we will play our part in helping bring about a ceasefire and a lasting peace."
In a statement on Thursday, Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Harris "chose to refer to the war in Gaza in his inaugural address but 'forgot' to mention the 133 Israeli hostages who have been rotting in Hamas tunnels for the past six months."
The statement continued: "The Taoiseach joined Micheál Martin, his Minister for Foreign Affairs, in planning/his intention to award additional prizes to terrorism, in the form of an ICJ declaration of intervention on the side of South Africa, the legal arm of the Hamas terrorist organization, and the possible recognition of a Palestinian state down the line/in the future.
"After the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, and even after the war crimes, the crimes against humanity and the sexual crimes that were committed, and are still being committed, by Hamas terrorists against Israeli women and men, there are those in Ireland who persist on being on the wrong side of history.
"The State of Israel will continue to protect its citizens, acting in accordance with international law, and will keep on striving to bring home the 133 men and women being held hostage and to bring down the Hamas terrorist organization, so that October 7th will not be repeated."
Harris, who was Ireland's Minister for Higher Education before becoming Taoiseach this month, has frequently called for the release of all hostages.
During a speech at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis last weekend where he officially became the new leader of the party in the wake of Leo Varadkar's resignation, Harris said in part: "We condemn the massacre carried out by Hamas in October and again call for the release of all hostages."
He did, however, add: "Prime Minister Netanyahu, the Irish people could not be clearer. We are repulsed by your actions.
"Ceasefire now and let the aid flow safely."
On Thursday, a spokesperson for Harris rebutted claims that the Taoiseach had neglected to mention Israeli hostages.
"By any fair analysis, Ireland has always condemned the atrocity Hamas committed on October 7th and called for hostages to be released," a spokesperson told the Irish Times.
"The Taoiseach has repeatedly said it."
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