What happened

Israel has called in Ireland’s Ambassador, Sonya McGuinness, for a diplomatic rebuke following remarks made by Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar about an Israeli child previously held hostage in Gaza. Varadkar referred to the child as a “lost” child who has been “found,” which sparked outrage among Israeli officials.

Why it matters

The language used by the Irish Prime Minister has been deemed insensitive by Israel, especially given the context of the child’s kidnapping by Hamas. The incident underscores the complexities of international diplomacy when it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and narratives surrounding it.

The Incident

Emily Hand, a nine-year-old with dual Israeli-Irish nationality, was among those kidnapped by Hamas during an attack. She was feared dead but was returned to Israel, prompting Varadkar to describe her as an “innocent child who was lost has now been found.” Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen criticized the comment as “outrageous,” emphasizing that Emily was kidnapped, not lost.

Response from Israel

Cohen directly addressed Varadkar in a separate post, accusing him of losing his “moral compass” and trying to “legitimize and normalize terror” by not explicitly condemning Hamas in his statement.

Backlash and Defense

The comments by Varadkar have led to a heated online debate, with critics accusing him of antisemitism and failing to acknowledge Hamas’s role in the kidnapping. Notably, Irish MMA fighter Conor McGregor condemned Varadkar’s statement, calling it a disgrace. Defenders of Varadkar suggest he was alluding to a New Testament passage, although this interpretation has been contested.

Broader Implications

The incident has highlighted the delicate balance of political statements and the interpretations they may receive on the international stage, particularly in relation to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

This story was first published on jpost.