'Hamas thanks Ireland': Israeli minister releases video after recognition of Palestinian state

James Cox

An Israeli minister has posted a video containing footage of the Hamas attacks on October 7th mixed with footage of Irish dancing, in response to Ireland's recognition of Palestinian statehood.

Israel's foreign affairs minister Israel Katz posted a video on X addressed to Taoiseach Simon Harris which shows violent scenes intercut with Irish dancing.

The short video is accompanied by the message : “Ireland, if your goal was to reward terrorism by declaring support for a Palestinian state, you’ve achieved it."

Mr Harris has insisted Israel should not have been "surprised" at Ireland's decision to recognise the state of Palestine.

Ireland, if your goal was to reward terrorism by declaring support for a Palestinian state, you’ve achieved it.@SimonHarrisTD, Hamas thanks you for your service. pic.twitter.com/mgz7ZGtnCi

— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) May 23, 2024

“A two-state solution is the only way to bring peace and stability to the people of Israel and the people of Palestine,” Mr Harris told reporters on Thursday morning.

“What I would say very clearly, to the Israeli government, is we very much recognise the state of Israel and its right to live in peace and security, but you can absolutely say that and also say the next bit - that the people of Palestine have a right to live in peace and security and that the humanitarian catastrophe that’s unfolding in Palestine, in Gaza, needs to end.”

Mr Harris said he spoke with Israeli president Isaac Herzog last Friday in an exchange which was  “firm but respectful”.

“We exchanged views, I outlined the Irish position. So I don’t think anybody in the world, least of all Israel, would have been surprised by the decision that Ireland, Norway and Spain took yesterday."