DFA says claims Ireland refused to label Hamas terrorist group 'categorically false'

James Cox

The Department of Foreign Affairs has said stories about Ireland refusing to label Hamas a terrorist group are "categorically false".

Some Israeli media claimed Ireland, Denmark and Luxembourg took exception to using that phrase in an EU response.

However, the Department has clarified and said that is not true.

Hamas is listed as a terror organisation by the EU, as was agreed unanimously by Member States.

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said: "In response to queries, DFA confirms it is categorically false that Ireland refused to agree a reference to Hamas as a terrorist organisation in the EU statement in response to attacks in Israel. Hamas is listed by the EU as a terrorist organisation, unanimously agreed by all MSs."

In response to queries, DFA confirms it is categorically false that Ireland refused to agree a reference to Hamas as a terrorist organisation in the EU statement in response to attacks in Israel. Hamas is listed by the EU as a terrorist organisation, unanimously agreed by all MSs

— Irish Foreign Ministry (@dfatirl) October 9, 2023

Irish-Israeli citizen Kim Damti was attending a music festival near the Gaza border when gunmen arrived at the site, and has been missing since the Hamas attack.

The 22-year-old's mother has spoken of her heartbreak as she waits for news about her daughter.

In an interview with ABC News, her mother Jennifer Damti, originally from Portlaoise, said her daughter had phoned them shortly after.

“Kim didn’t realise there was like seven or eight Toyota vans full of terrorists and they just shot everywhere,” she said.

“They just shot them, slaughtered them like ducks, and that’s the reason I’m here, ’cause I want the world to condemn this behaviour.

“I didn’t bring my children up to hate anybody.

“You can’t sleep. All I can think about is where she is, if she’s suffering, if she’s still alive. I just want her back,” she said.

“So many other mothers here today. I’m not the only one. Everybody is missing somebody.”