Taoiseach to raise plan for Gaza with Biden

Cillian Sherlock, PA, in Boston

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said Israel’s apparent plans for the Gaza Strip after a potential ceasefire are “entirely unacceptable”.

He said he planned to raise the issue with US president Joe Biden this week during a high-profile White House meeting to coincide with St Patrick’s Day.

The Taoiseach also said that Europe and the US would have a role to play in “building a Palestinian state” after any truce.

Mr Varadkar and other ministers are attending events in the US around St Patrick’s Day.

He has said he will use the “very special platform” with US politicians to give the Irish people’s view that they want the killing in Gaza to stop.

Mr Varadkar said he would try to mention Irish-Palestinian man Zak Hania, who is in Rafah, whose wife has asked for his case to be raised with the US president.

He said there had been hundreds of requests for issues to be raised with Mr Biden.

“I should point out though that Irish citizens in Gaza, our main contact is with Israel and Egyptian governments, as well as the Qataris,” he replied.

Mr Varadkar said he would be “encouraging” Mr Biden to “redouble efforts” the US is making to bring about a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

“We’ll be encouraging him to redouble efforts in that regard, offering any help we can, but also really want to talk about the day after.

“I think what we’re hearing from the Israeli government in terms of what their plans are for Gaza the day after (a ceasefire) are entirely unacceptable.

“It is an occupied territory, it’s not Israel’s right to decide what happens in Gaza, it’s an occupied territory.

“America and Europe have a role to play in building a Palestinian state, which I think is the only chance that we have of peace and justice.”