Taoiseach calls on US to push for peace between Israelis and Palestinians

At a breakfast meeting at the Naval Observatory in Washington DC, Mr Varadkar told Ms Harris that the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza 'will haunt us all for years to come'

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar with US Vice President Kamala Harris during a breakfast meeting hosted by the VP at her official residence in Washington. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has called on the US to push for peace for Israelis and Palestinians.

At a breakfast meeting with US vice president Kamala Harris at the Naval Observatory in Washington DC, Mr Varadkar told Ms Harris and those gathered that the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza “will haunt us all for years to come”.

“In Ireland, we know how quickly atrocities can lead to calls for vengeance, to creating new cycles of hatred and bitterness. But we also know that the cycle can be broken and that new hope can replace old hatreds,” he said. 

Evoking the role the US played in brokering the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland, Mr Varadkar added: “The United States helped us to find peace, now let us work together to build just and lasting peace in the Middle East for Israel, Palestine and its Arab neighbours.

“We know from our own story that finding peace can be a long and painful process, and it takes time to build trust and build relationships. 

"American politicians on both sides of the aisle helped to encourage and nurture these relationships in Northern Ireland over many decades, and we thank you all so much for that.”

US Vice President Kamala Harris addresses those gathered at a breakfast meeting she hosted fahead of St Patrick's Day this weekend. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

In her remarks at the gathering, Ms Harris called the Taoiseach “a global leader” and praised the number of Ukrainian refugees Ireland has taken in.

She went on to praise Mr Varadkar for “leading by example” and housing a Ukrainian refugee in his own home.

“Under your leadership, Ireland has hosted one of the highest per capita populations of Ukrainian refugees, a testament to the generosity and the compassion of the Irish people,” she said.

Ms Harris said Mr Varadkar was “courageous in the fight for women’s reproductive freedom” and praised him for being the first Taoiseach to attend the Munich Security Conference, which Ms Harris also attended.

She said he had also worked in the early part of his career to “strengthen the ties” with the Irish diaspora.

“America has, of course, served as a place of hope for millions of Irish immigrants and their descendants, including those who have held the highest offices in our land, and currently, of course, our President Joe Biden,” she said.

Ms Harris’s husband Doug Emhoff and Mr Varadkar’s partner Matt Barrett were also present at the breakfast event.

Mr Varadkar also told Ms Harris that he understood the difficulties of being the deputy leader of a country while at a St Patrick’s Day breakfast with US vice president Kamala Harris.

US Vice President Kamala listens as Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaks during a breakfast meeting hosted by the VP at her official residence this morning. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Speaking at the VP’s residence, Mr Varadkar said he went from Taoiseach, to Tánaiste, to return to the role of Taoiseach at the end of 2022.

“And I’m not going to lie, I know which one I prefer,” he said. 

“I do even find it a little bit easier, even when it’s hard.” He said that the best vice presidents are the “trailblazers” who “spoke from the heart”.

“I believe you, Madam Vice President, showed great courage and leadership in recent weeks, when you spoke publicly in favour of a ceasefire in Gaza.

“I’m sure it can’t have been easy, but it was the right thing to do and your words echoed all over the world.”

After the St Patrick's Day breakfast, the travelled to West Wing of the White House for a bilateral meeting with President Joe Biden.