Department rejects claim that Ireland refused to call Hamas a terror organisation

Smoke rises after the Israeli air strike in the Gaza Strip on Monday. Picture: Fatima Shbair/AP

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has said a claim that Ireland refused to call Hamas a terror organisation is "categorically false".

Israeli-based iNews24 made the claim on Sunday in a tweet that said the EU "wanted to issue a harsher statement but Luxembourg, Ireland and Denmark refused to call Hamas a terror organisation", crediting a diplomatic source. 

Hamas launched an unprecedented incursion into Israel over the weekend which was met with an Israeli response that has left nearly 1,200 people dead across both sides.

The EU's High Representative for Neighborhood issued a statement on behalf of the bloc on Saturday, saying that the EU "condemns in the strongest possible terms the multiple and indiscriminate attacks across Israel by Hamas and deeply deplores the loss of lives".

The EU called for "an immediate cessation of these senseless attacks and violence, which will only further increase tensions on the ground and seriously undermine Palestinian people’s aspirations for peace".

"The EU stands in solidarity with Israel which has the right to defend itself in line with international law, in the face of such violent and indiscriminate attacks."

In response to queries, DFA confirms it is categorically false that Ireland refused to agree a reference to Hamas as a terrorist organisation in the EU statement in response to attacks in Israel. Hamas is listed by the EU as a terrorist organisation, unanimously agreed by all MSs

— Irish Foreign Ministry (@dfatirl) October 9, 2023

In a statement tweeted in response to media queries, the DFA stated: "In response to queries, DFA confirms it is categorically false that Ireland refused to agree a reference to Hamas as a terrorist organisation in the EU statement in response to attacks in Israel. Hamas is listed by the EU as a terrorist organisation, unanimously agreed by all MSs [Member States]."

The claim has also been rejected by both Denmark and Luxembourg. Denmark's foreign ministry stated: "DK firmly rejects the false information that DK should have objected to qualifying Hamas a terrorist organization in negotiating an EU declaration. DK would never do that. Hamas is listed a terror organization by the EU and DK has on several occasions referred to Hamas as such."

Luxembourg's foreign ministry stated that it had "participated constructively in the EU’s negotiations of a statement condemning the horrible terror attacks by Hamas against Israel".