Elaine Loughlin: President Higgins was right to call out Ursula von der Leyen on Israel

Michael D Higgins said the EU Commission president 'wasn't speaking for Ireland' when she expressed unqualified support for Israel

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen stressed the right of Israel to defend itself and said 'I know that how Israel responds will show that it is a democracy'. Picture: Jean-Francois Badias/AP

President Michael D Higgins has been repeatedly accused of "pushing the boundaries" of his office with controversial comments on everything from housing to the UN and Irish neutrality.

However, in this case, he is completely right to call out EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen over her "thoughtless and even reckless" actions on Israel.