Ireland’s PM calls for ceasefire during White House visit

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — The Irish prime minister is in Washington this week for what is typically a very amicable visit ahead of St. Patrick’s Day.

But this year, Ireland’s staunch support of Palestinians in the Israel-Hamas war is complicating relations, even with President Joe Biden, who speaks often of his Irish heritage.

“We need to have a ceasefire as soon as possible,” Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said in the Oval Office Friday.

“We both know a whole lot more has to be done,” President Biden said.

Varadkar called for an end to the fighting, the release of the remaining hostages and more humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza.

“A very human tragedy, which I think will haunt us all for years to come,” Varadkar said.

The Irish leader has been under pressure in his own country to condemn U.S. support of Israel’s actions in Gaza.

“There’s a long history of Irish solidarity with the Palestinian people,” said Robert McCaw with the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

Like President Biden, McCaw is a proud Irish American, but he’s also Muslim and said the president should embrace Ireland’s support of Palestinians.

“I don’t think that’s something that’s translated across the Atlantic to Biden,” McCaw said. “I think it’s really sad and disappointing.”

During a St. Patrick’s Day celebration at the U.S. Capitol Friday, President Biden thanked Varadkar for his support of Palestinians in the war.

“I am deeply grateful for Ireland’s unwavering humanitarian aid,” Biden said.

The president promised the U.S. would continue to do its part, too, as Congress still debates whether to send more military aid to Israel and humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.

“No barrier is too thick or too strong for Ireland and the United States to get through,” Biden said.

The highest-ranking Jewish official in the U.S., Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, (D-N.Y.), has grown impatient with Israel’s response, calling on the country Thursday to hold new elections.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu has lost his way,” Schumer said.

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, (R-S.C.), criticized Schumer’s remarks.

“It’s the most irresponsible thing I’ve seen yet by a United States senator regarding foreign policy,” Graham said.

However, President Biden called it a “good speech.”

“He expressed a serious concern shared not only by him, but by many Americans,” Biden said.

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