Taoiseach says he doesn't know how Netanyahu 'sleeps at night' after UN address
Responding to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he does not know how Mr Netanyahu sleeps at night. Picture: Stefan Jeremiah/AP
The Taoiseach has said he does not know how Benjamin Netanyahu "sleeps at night", as he has hit out at countries that are "complicit" in the genocide in Gaza and that "doing nothing is not neutrality".
Speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York, Micheál Martin said that there "could not be business as usual in the face of genocide" and called "on those who have influence to use it urgently to maximum effect".
In a speech which was interrupted by applause led by the State of Palestine, Mr Martin said that there "must be an immediate ceasefire, the release of all remaining hostages, and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid and workers to Gaza".
Asked afterwards if he believed that those countries who could do more are now complicit in genocide in Gaza, Mr Martin said that countries need to "step up".
"We all have obligations to adhere to international humanitarian law and ensure that that law is adhered to," he said.
Mr Martin's speech came shortly after Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu had told the assembly that “Israel must finish the job in Gaza as fast as possible”.
"This week, the leaders of France, Britain, Australia, Canada, and other countries unconditionally recognised a Palestinian state. They did so after the horrors committed by Hamas on October 7 — horrors praised on that day by nearly 90% of the Palestinian population."
Scores of delegates exited the hall as Mr Netanyahu took to the stage, while attendees in the balcony rose to their feet to give him a standing ovation.
The Irish delegation had not yet been seated, and Mr Martin was in a green room awaiting his speech.
Speaking afterwards, he said that Mr Netanyahu's speech was "deeply, deeply disappointing" but was "in many respects what we expected from Mr Netanyahu".
"I've condemned the atrocity committed by Hamas on October 7 and the awful things that were done by Hamas to the innocents on that occasion, to children, as he [Mr Natanyahu] pointed out.
"I don't understand how a person can go to sleep at night being responsible for such trauma and such damage.
"As I said, Hamas must be held to account, but not the entirety of the Palestinian people.
"There can be no continuation of the collective punishment. That's the point. There's no moral justification for the continuation of this war whatsoever.
"So his speech in that respect was deeply, deeply disappointing to say the least and was an attempt to propagandise the Israeli position."
The Taoiseach said Ireland would ban members of the Netanyahu government from Ireland.
"We will act to prevent those members of the government of Israel who have been instrumental in fomenting the unfolding disaster in Gaza from entering our country," he said.
Mr Martin said that while US president Donald Trump had suggested that a ceasefire was near, he would wait to see if there was concrete action on Gaza.
"Well, we all know from history that when we're in the depths of despair, when things are very bleak, peace can emerge."
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