The United States “can do more” to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza, the Taoiseach has said.
Simon Harris made the comment ahead of a meeting with US president Joe Biden in the White House on Wednesday.
The Taoiseach said the world had “failed the children of Gaza”.
“When the history is written in relation to this war, it has disproportionately been a war on children.”
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, he added: “We all understand the piercing cry of a child.
“There’s too many people who’ve heard the cries of those children for too long and yet the war continues.
“There’s an absolute onus on everybody in a leadership position, including Ireland, to do more.”
While Mr Harris said he did not doubt that Mr Biden wanted a ceasefire, he said he would tell the US president that efforts thus far have been ineffective.
He said the US and other countries should consider what more it can do to bring about a cessation of hostilities – including the supply of arms.
“I think it’s up to every country, including the United States of America, to dig deep and see what more they do.
“Everybody needs to look at every lever at their disposal. That includes the supply of arms, of course it does.”
Mr Harris said it was up to individual countries to decide their foreign policy, but added: “No country in the world is doing enough to bring about a ceasefire and when people look back at this time in history, it will be a moment of shame for the world.”
Mr Harris said aiding continued conflict in Gaza “is not consistent” with Irish foreign policy.
He reiterated that the EU should review its trade agreements with Israel, having previously said human-rights clauses in the pact were being breached.
The Taoiseach added that the Attorney General will brief Coalition leaders on steps it can take on trade with Israel, following the rulings of the International Court of Justice.
In July, the UN’s top court declared Israel’s presence in the occupied Palestinian territories unlawful and called for settlement construction to stop immediately.
Mr Harris also said every possible effort must be made to de-escalate the “extraordinarily dangerous” situation in southern Lebanon.
Thank you to @antonioguterres for your swift action. As we discussed last night, the safety of our soldiers is paramount and I welcome the actions today. Thank you to our peacekeepers who serve with distinction. We are all so proud of you and grateful to you for your service pic.twitter.com/j9zgYFu2MX
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) October 8, 2024
Mr Harris reiterated “serious concerns” about repeated Israeli incursions of the Blue Line near a UN outpost staffed by Irish peacekeepers.
The IDF also established a position near a UN outpost on the demarcation line between Israel and Lebanon which was staffed by the Irish peacekeepers. The Israeli forces have since withdrawn.
Mr Harris said Irish peacekeepers are “doing an extraordinary job” amid what he described as a “moment of significant danger” caused by the Israeli breach of the Blue Line.
“I think everybody in Ireland is very proud of them.”
He said the danger persists and that the families of peacekeepers are “understandably concerned and stressed”.
The bilateral is the centrepiece of a series of engagements in Washington DC to mark 100 years of Irish-US diplomatic relations.
The US was the first country to recognise and establish diplomatic relations with the Irish Free State in 1924.
The Taoiseach’s schedule includes a range of other political and cultural events.
On Wednesday, he also met USAID administrator Samantha Power – who was raised in Ireland.
On Thursday, Mr Harris will speak at a special event at Georgetown University.
The Taoiseach is also scheduled to meet the US Congress’s Friends of Ireland caucus and Northern Ireland economic envoy Joe Kennedy III.
The schedule for the visit was cut back due to an incoming hurricane.
Hurricane Milton strengthened to a Category 5 storm as it barrelled towards landfall in Florida on Wednesday.
A reception for invited guests at the Rose Garden has been “postponed” due to the storm.
Noting the incoming hurricane towards the Florida area, Mr Harris added that Ireland’s consulate in Miami is ready to assist any Irish citizen in the affected area.
“Obviously our thoughts are with all of those who are in the path of this hurricane which may well land later today.”
Mr Biden has spoken affectionately about his Irish heritage across his political career.
He was warmly welcomed to Ireland in 2023 for a visit that included retracing some of his ancestral roots in Co Louth and Co Mayo. He received a standing ovation as he addressed both houses of the Oireachtas in Dublin.
The Democrats’ election candidate, vice president Kamala Harris, is expected to be on the campaign trail for the duration of the Taoiseach’s visit.
