It is ‘irrelevant’ whether President Michael D. Higgins is right or wrong on the Israel-Hamas conflict – he has no business criticizing EU foreign policy.

That’s according to Newstalk Breakfast presenter Shane Coleman who was speaking after the president strongly criticised the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for comments she made while visiting the region last week.

Speaking in Israel on Friday, Ms Von der Leyen said the country had a duty to defend itself and protect its people against the “atrocious” acts of Hamas – but failed to call on Israel to respect international law or be proportionate in its response.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers a speech at the European Parliament, 26-04-2021. Image: Olivier Matthys/AP/Press Association Images

Yesterday, President Higgins described her comments as “thoughtless and even reckless”.

“I don't know where the source of those decisions was, I don't know where the legitimation for it was, I don't know where the authority for it is and I don't think it was helpful,” he said.

“It may not have been meant to have malevolent consequences, but certainly we need a better performance in relation to European Union diplomacy and practice.”

"Meddling"

Shane said that regardless of what you think about the situation, the president has a responsibility to stay out of politics – at home and abroad.

“We have to be consistent on this,” he said. “The President does not have a role in politics. The President has to be apolitical.

“He has not just entered domestic politics - which he's done on many occasions and I think it was wrong to do so – now, he's meddling in international politics.

“He is making life difficult for the Irish Government in so doing.

“Whether he's right or wrong, I think, is actually irrelevant.”

"Have a look in the mirror"

He said President Higgins should take a good look at himself before criticising Ms von der Leyen.

“I just think his comments are so interesting about, ‘I don't know where the authority comes from, it's not helpful, it may not have been malevolent, but it has consequences – we need better in terms of diplomacy,’” he said.

“Yeah, have a look in the mirror, Mr President.”

Ciara Kelly in the Newstalk studio. Image: Newstalk

Ciara agreed that the Head of State should not get involved in politics – but said she has sympathy for his position on the escalating violence in the Middle East.

“I think this is a very serious situation that we are facing into in the Middle East, which is now spilling over, very likely, into Europe – those terror attacks yesterday in Belgium are probably not unrelated,” she said.

“I do believe that words need to be very carefully chosen at the moment when someone speaks publicly about the Israeli-Hamas conflict, I think that is the case.

“I respect what Michael D is saying and I agree with him.

“Now I know you can't pick and choose and say, well, I agree with Michael D on this so it's OK, he says this but I think this is such a serious issue that I am going to cut him a bit of slack on this one.”

A boy with a cat in the damaged Al Shati Refugee Camp in the Gaza Strip on October 13th, 2023. Image: UNRWA/Mahmoud Ajjour

She said she agrees with President Higgin’s comments – and it is important that people continue to call for cool heads for Israel – even though the attacks by Hamas were “utterly heinous”.

Shane noted that there is “no shortage” of people calling for cool heads or of people criticising Ursula von der Leyen.

“There’s a million voices on this,” he said. “Why does Michael D Higgins feel it's his job to intervene?”