The Irish Times view on Ireland’s Gaza policy: diplomacy’s value should not be underestimated

This week’s Middle East visit by Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin underlines the important role which Irish diplomacy plays in safeguarding the country’s citizens and defending its national interests, particularly at times of international tension and violent conflict. During Martin’s visit to Egypt on Wednesday, some of the Irish nationals trapped in southern Gaza, including family groups with children, were able to leave the territory via the Rafah crossing. The expectation is that most of those remaining will be evacuated by the end of this week.

Yesterday, his itinerary in Israel included a visit to Be’eri kibbutz, where nine-year-old Israeli/Irish citizen Emily Hand was abducted by Hamas during its barbaric attack of October 7th, before moving on to Sderot, where many civilians had been massacred on the same date. Later, he met his Israeli counterpart in Jerusalem before meeting representatives of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, where violent attacks by Israeli settlers have escalated alarmingly, and more than 180 Palestinians have been killed.

Along the way, he also spoke to Israelis who expressed anger at Ireland’s criticism of the appalling toll of civilian deaths and injuries wrought by the continuing assault on Gaza.

While Martin was in Egypt, the Dáil was debating separate Opposition motions calling on the Government to withdraw the status of Israel’s ambassador to Ireland and to refer the country’s actions in Gaza to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Both motions were defeated but the debates were valuable in setting out the nuances which exist across the political spectrum on an international human rights crisis that has dominated the domestic agenda to an unusual extent for several weeks.

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Ireland’s position as one of Israel’s strongest critics among EU nations reflects the genuine horror felt by most Irish people at what is being inflicted on Gaza’s civilian population. To represent that position effectively and to press home the argument for an immediate ceasefire requires political skill and diplomatic finesse.

Both the Tánaiste and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar have been clear they believe the violence currently being inflicted on Gaza is disproportionate and morally indefensible.

That view is increasingly being echoed internationally as the assault enters its seventh week with little sign of an ending. Opposition deputies argued passionately and sincerely this week that action of some sort was required. But if that action is essentially symbolic, as would be the case with a referral to the ICC (which is already investigating Israeli actions in Gaza), or if it shuts down the diplomatic channels which have shown their value in recent days, then the Government is correct to hold to its current course.