In defence of his impending visit to the White House, Taoiseach Simon Harris said that Ireland had to “speak the truth to its friends” and to President Joe Biden over the conflict in the Middle East, reports The Mirror.
It occurs as tensions between Israel and Iran grow, marking yet another escalation in the regional war.
Iran fired over 180 ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday. The strikes are thought to have been carried out in retaliation for ground assaults in Lebanon, the deaths of Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh and Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah.
This comes after hundreds of pagers and walkie-talkies burst in what was thought to be an Israeli strike in Lebanon last month, killing over thirty people, reports The Mirror.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, declared that Iran had committed a “big mistake” and promised that “it will pay for it”.
In addition to reiterating his support for Israel, President Biden promised to consult with Netanyahu on how to handle Iran.
Later this month, the Taoiseach has been invited to see President Biden at the White House, reports The Mirror.
He vehemently objected on Wednesday that, given US support for Israel and its armaments sales, his next trip appeared to be him “cosying up” to Mr. Biden.
“Should I not go? Is it the vista?” he enquired.
“Ireland and the United States of America have 100 years of diplomatic relations. There are great friendships between Ireland and America that run beyond any individual, including me. Our countries have great, proud diplomatic links. I’m proud of the diplomatic relations between Ireland and the United States of America and I believe the overwhelming majority of people in this country are too. I’m also proud of the tradition of taoisigh and presidents being able to engage on issues too. But you also speak the truth to your friends. Ireland’s never afraid to speak our view and I’m not afraid of that either,” reports The Mirror.
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