Taoiseach says world has 'failed Palestine' in UN address

When Micheál Martin, the Taoiseach, addressed the United Nations General Assembly, he condemned the world for failing Palestine. He noted that the true horrors of Gaza, once revealed, would shame the entire world. The international community, he argued, had failed Palestine, and he criticized the last year's Gaza peace plan, asserting that it did not change the reality on the ground.

He called for the full truth of the situation in Gaza to be known, including the testimonies of those affected, to expose the "true horrors" that are still ongoing.

Martin also criticized attempts to make the prospect of a two-state solution impossible, stating that this was the stated intent of the Israeli Prime Minister. He highlighted the ongoing illegal and violent settler occupation of Palestinian land in the West Bank, where settlers continue to act with near-total impunity, while Palestinian communities face displacement, destruction, and what he described as ethnic cleansing.

He urged for a viable solution to the decades of conflict, suggesting that a State of Palestine and a State of Israel should live side-by-side in peace, security, and dignity. He also called on the United States and Iran to return to meaningful, good-faith negotiations to resolve the conflict and stressed that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon.

Martin also criticized Iran's destabilizing influence in the region and called for the international community to stay engaged with bodies like the United Nations, criticizing efforts to undermine the International Criminal Court.

In his speech, he also lamented Russia's continued brutal attacks in Ukraine, which have had direct global impacts, including increased food and energy costs. He paid tribute to the ending of the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon and expressed concerns for the situation in Afghanistan, particularly the rights of women and the LGBTQI+ community. Lastly, he extended an invitation for Ireland to join the Human Rights Council for the 2027-2029 term.