Taoiseach conveys Ireland's 'unbreakable support' of the people of Palestine to country's president

Simon Harris with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in New York in September. President Abbas told the Taoiseach that 50 people have died and 100 have been injured in Gaza every day in 2024. 

The Taoiseach has spoken to the Palestinian president to express the "solidarity and unbreakable support of the people of Ireland to the people of Palestine".

A statement from the Taoiseach's office said he had told Mahmoud Abbas that the heartbreaking conditions and loss of innocent life in Gaza this year "weighs heavily on the minds of many Irish people as they gather with their families for Christmas this week".

The Taoiseach also said that Ireland will "continue to use its voice and influence at every opportunity in every international forum it can from the EU to the UN — as well as through direct bilateral relations with Israel and Palestine — to bring about a ceasefire and to start to rebuild shattered lives".

“While speaking to President Abbas it was foremost in my mind that the heart-shattering milestone of more than 45,000 dead was passed earlier this month, of which nearly 15,000 were innocent children. 

President Abbas told me that 50 people have died and 100 have been injured in Gaza every day in 2024. 

"On top of this, we have seen so-called safe zones bombed in the last few days and the conditions in Gaza as described by the UN are horrific."

He said 1.1 million children are living in "hellish conditions". 

"Families lack the most basic items, including food, clothing, shoes, mattresses, blankets, and kitchen supplies. There is a dangerous shortage of medicines, with diseases spreading rapidly due to the cold. 

"Tens of thousands of people are living at sites with no basic services at all. That’s no bathroom, no water and no food. It is also deeply troubling that the West Bank and East Jerusalem continue to see buildings being cleared and demolished.

“The risk of famine has not subsided and the only conclusion that can fairly be drawn at the end of 2024 is that the world has failed the innocent people of Gaza.” 

The Taoiseach and Abbas also touched on Ireland’s decision, alongside Spain and Norway, to recognise the State of Palestine in May with President Abbas thanking Ireland again on Monday. President Abbas also said that the Palestinian Ambassador, Dr Jilan Abdalmajid, officially presenting her credentials to Ireland this week was a great honour.

The Taoiseach and President Abbas also spoke of the importance of ongoing international support for the UN relief agency UNRWA.