EU could do more to help bring ceasefire in Gaza but has 'decided not to', Taoiseach says

Simon Harris raised concerns about the slowdown in the amount of aid reaching civilians in Gaza over the summer months. Picture: AP/Abdel Kareem Hana

The EU could do more to stop Israel’s war in Gaza but has “decided not to”, the Taoiseach has said.

Simon Harris has been critical of the EU’s response to the ongoing crisis in Gaza, as talks remain ongoing for a ceasefire between Hamas and the Israeli Government.

“I’m also very conscious that when it comes to things like trade and the likes, that is done at an EU level. I’ll be clear — I do not believe the world, including the European Union, has done enough to bring about a ceasefire,” Mr Harris said.

“I believe when we look back at this period in time, it will be a time of dark shame for the world because there are levers that could be pulled at a European level that have not been.”

Mr Harris also signalled he did not believe the Israeli Government was in compliance with the human right’s clauses of the EU-Israel association agreement.

“What message do we send out to the world when we have human rights clauses in trade association agreements that don't seem to kick in. They're not there to make the document longer and they have to have meaning,” Mr Harris said.

"There is more that the EU could do today and so far, as a collective, has decided not to do.”

Asked directly if he thought the agreement should be suspended, Mr Harris said:

“I understand the process and the process is that there needs to be a review. But let me be clear, you’re hardly going to review the agreement and find that it’s in compliance.”

The Taoiseach did welcome comments made by US secretary of state Antony Blinken, who said there had been a “very constructive” meeting with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Taoiseach Simon Harris: 'I find that the scenes that are happening in the Middle East to be grotesque and almost unimaginable in terms of the scale of catastrophe and violence.'

However, he said countries must “reflect seriously” over concerns by Mr Blinken that this opportunity for a ceasefire in Gaza could be the last.

“I find that the scenes that are happening in the Middle East to be grotesque and almost unimaginable in terms of the scale of catastrophe and violence,” Mr Harris said, adding the actions of Israel had been “utterly disproportionate”.

The Taoiseach said countries like Ireland, Spain and Slovenia do want to see a review of the EU-Israel association agreement, and he hoped if efforts to reach a ceasefire do fail that other EU countries will join them.

Recent figures show trade between Ireland and Israel remains at a high level, with €3.6bn of Israeli goods entering the State in 2023. For the first two months of 2024, there were €608m worth of Israeli goods imported into the country.

Mr Harris also raised concerns about the slowdown in the amount of aid reaching civilians in Gaza over the summer months.

“After the International Court of Justice ruling, after all the condemnation of the world, there is less aid coming through Gaza as was the case just a number of months ago.”

In recent days, the death toll in Gaza from Israeli attacks has topped 40,000, meaning one in 50 residents have been killed.

However, there are further concerns from humanitarian organisations that the death toll could be higher, with thousands of people believed to be unaccounted or trapped under rubble in Gaza.