Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) Micheál Martin has criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of undermining the United Nations and its peacekeeping forces in Lebanon.
The remarks came in response to Netanyahu’s recent call for the withdrawal of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers from areas in southern Lebanon, a request that has sparked significant controversy.
Irish Defence Force peacekeepers have been stationed in Lebanon since 1978, with more than 30,000 troops rotating through the region over the decades.
The majority of these troops are based at Camp Shamrock, located near the Lebanese border. Despite Israel’s orders, Irish troops have refused to leave their posts in the region, a move that has intensified tensions.
Martin, attending a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Luxembourg, emphasized the importance of the international rules-based order.
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He accused Netanyahu of attempting to weaken the UN’s credibility and peacekeeping operations.
“The Israeli prime minister is essentially undermining the United Nations and the very rules-based international order,” Martin said.
“He needs to step back, and the international community must stand firm on the primacy of the international rules-based order.”
The Tánaiste continued, stressing that “the United Nations is at the heart of that, and United Nations peacekeepers are at the heart of that.”
His comments were a clear rebuke to Netanyahu’s actions, which have drawn international concern.
Tensions flared earlier this week when Israeli tanks reportedly forced their way into a UNIFIL position, and rounds were fired nearby, causing smoke to enter the camp.
This resulted in 15 peacekeepers suffering skin irritations and gastrointestinal issues. However, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) offered a different version of events, claiming their actions were necessary to evacuate soldiers injured by an anti-tank missile.
This came after a series of incidents that left five peacekeepers injured, though no Irish troops were harmed.
In response to criticism over attacks on UN peacekeepers, Netanyahu expressed regret for the harm caused but maintained that the most effective way to prevent further incidents was to withdraw UNIFIL troops from what he called the “danger zone.”
Martin, however, accused Israel of attempting to “drive the eyes and ears out of southern Lebanon,” effectively giving itself free rein in the region by attacking UN peacekeeping positions.
He firmly stated, “We cannot have an undermining and a chipping away of the status or the credibility or structures of the United Nations and particularly its peacekeeping forces.”
The IDF has denied targeting UN peacekeepers, reiterating its stance that the peacekeepers were operating in a dangerous combat zone.
Peter Lerner, the IDF’s international spokesperson, explained that while they had requested UNIFIL to withdraw, the peacekeepers chose to remain, despite the risks involved.
He also pointed out that Hezbollah had established a combat zone within the area that falls under UNIFIL’s responsibility.
“So if you expect us not to take those out, because Unifil will say we don’t want to evacuate.
“We’ll say we will push forward. We will fulfil our military goals.
“Unifil is definitely not the enemy. We suggest they evacuate for their own safety,” he added.
Martin referred to IDF attacks in northern Gaza, including hitting a school sheltering displaced people and called for an EU or international team to be allowed into Gaza to monitor what was happening.
“What’s happening in the most recent days in northern Gaza is quite shocking in terms of the mass expulsion of people…and the death and destruction of innocent people,” he said.
“That is not acceptable or morally tolerable anymore. Quite a number of our EU member states really need to stand up now on the side of what’s right and proper and moral in terms of humanity.
“I’m surprised that some EU colleague states have not been as forceful or as strong in supporting UN peacekeeping troops as they could be.
“The statement we’ve issued is welcome, but I think the statement the EU is issuing on this matter could be far stronger.”
In a phone call with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Monday, Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris emphasised the “paramount” importance of ensuring the safety of Irish peacekeepers stationed in southern Lebanon.
An official statement from the Irish government revealed that Harris firmly conveyed his concerns regarding the recent “deliberate firing” at United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) positions, describing it as an “unacceptable breach of international law.”
“UNIFIL operates on behalf of the international community, with a clear mandate from the United Nations Security Council. It must be allowed to carry out its peacekeeping functions without obstruction,” Harris stated.
In addition to addressing the safety of peacekeepers, Harris reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire to allow civilians to safely return to their homes, urging all parties to prioritize humanitarian considerations.