The Taoiseach has called for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza ,while on a visit to the US ahead of St Patrick’s Day. 

Speaking in Boston, Leo Varadkar said it is "unconscionable" that children are dying due to bombing, hunger, thirst and a lack of medical care.

He also urged Hamas to release the remaining hostages captured during the October 7th attack. 

“Colleagues, when thousands of children are killed in response no one can avert their eyes,” Mr Varadkar said. 

“The life of a child is the greatest gift of all.  Childhood should be a blessing. Today in Gaza, for so many it is a death sentence and a curse.

“We all know that there are guilty people who perpetrated unspeakable acts of terrorism.  

“But there are innocent men, women and children suffering for their sins; they should not be subject to collective punishment.

 “The cries of the innocent will haunt us forever if we stay silent.”

Palestinians wait for humanitarian aid on a beachfront in Gaza City, 25-02-2024. Image: Associated Press / Alamy

The Taoiseach added that Palestine would need the international community's help long after a ceasefire, calling for a "massive and sustained increase in humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza."

"We will also continue to call and to work for a meaningful political pathway leading to self-determination for the Palestinian people," he said.

"A fully fledged nation for their own people in the land of their forefathers.

"From our own painful history, we know that a ceasefire does not mean surrender; a ceasefire does not mean weakness, a ceasefire does not mean forgiveness.

"A ceasefire means hope. It means breaking free of the perpetual cycle of violence, recrimination and retaliation. It means believing in our shared humanity instead of a need for revenge."

Ukraine

Mr Varadkar also thanked America for its support for Ukraine over the last two years, stressing that, “if Ukraine falls so too will a shadow that will bring darkness to us all.”

“We must not forget the lessons of the 1930s in Europe,” he said. 

“You cannot appease a dictator.”

The Taoiseach’s visit to the US for St Patrick's Day includes a meeting with US President Joe Biden on Friday and the traditional Shamrock ceremony on Sunday.

Main image: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. Image: Sam Boal/RollingNews