Palestinian stance marks Varadkar's valedictory achievement on world stage

The EU has finally arrived at a unified position calling for an ‘immediate humanitarian pause’ given the crisis in Gaza

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar arrives to attend the European Council summit in Brussels on Friday. Picture: Sameer Al-Doumy/AFP via Getty Images

Ireland alongside Spain, Malta, and Slovenia agreed to recognise a Palestinian state as part of a push for durable peace and security between Israel and the Palestinians.

It was Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s valedictory achievement on the European and global stage as Ireland has been one of the most vocal voices calling for greater care for the plight of Palestinians stuck in Gaza under intensive Israeli bombardment as part of its response to the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7.

It comes as the EU finally arrived at a unified position calling for an ‘immediate humanitarian pause’ given the crisis in Gaza.

Mr Varadkar has been critical of the EU having ‘double standards’ when it comes to sympathy towards Israeli and Ukrainian civilians who are victims of war.

"The response to the appalling crisis in Palestine has not been Europe's finest hour, quite frankly, and it has been undermining particularly on our efforts to defend Ukraine because so many countries in the Global South, also known as most of the world, interpret Europe's actions on Ukraine as double standards, and I think they've a point, quite frankly," said Mr Varadkar at the start of the two-day leaders' summit.

"But things have changed, when we were here in November our position was the minority view, it's now very much the majority view."

Ireland’s role in pulling together a stronger position on Palestine was appreciated by European Council president Charles Michel — a member of the liberal Renew group who had been struggling to get a balanced statement expressing the EU’s revulsion at Hamas, calls to release the hostages, and ensure there is basic food to stop the onset of famine for the last several months.

'Determination, dedication'

He tweeted his appreciation on Friday morning: “Dear Leo, thank you for your determination, dedication and personal contribution to building a better and more equal and diverse Europe. Buíochas leat as do chuid oibre, agus ádh mór!” 

Meanwhile, there was some surprise in Brussels that Public Expenditure Minister and Eurogroup president Paschal Donohoe was not in the running to take over from Mr Varadkar.

Mr Donohoe is highly regarded for his ability to bridge divides among member states and steer the ship on tricky fiscal issues amid a cost-of-living crisis, and fears about how the EU will finance the war in Ukraine for years to come. 

"I think it's a bit of a loss for Ireland," said an EU official.

His role as president of the Eurogroup, the group of EU finance ministers from eurozone member states, is predicated on him retaining an economic portfolio.

"Of course, I would welcome the opportunity to stay on in the role, it’s up to the new taoiseach to decide," said Mr Donohoe.