Irish President Michael D Higgins criticises EU chief Ursula von der Leyen for her pro-Israeli stance

Irish President Michael D Higgins has criticised Ursula von der Leyen's comments on the Israel-Hamas war. Ursula von der Leyen voiced her pro-Israeli stance when on a recent visit to Israel. President Higgins said the EU Commission president was “not speaking for Ireland and she wasn't speaking for the opinions that they hold”. The Irish President has called for a cessation of violence in Israel and Gaza for “the protection of the lives of innocent civilians”.

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has also slammed Israel for imposing a full siege on the Gaza Strip by cutting off electricity and water to the Palestinian enclave. In an TV interview with RTÉ's Prime Time programme, Varadkar stated that Israel is engaging in ‘collective punishment’ and called the action a violation of international humanitarian law. Israeli armed forces have killed more than 2,000 Palestinians and have shut off all food, water and electricity to more than two million people in Gaza, prompting accusations of war crimes.