Taoiseach says Joe Biden briefed him on 'substantial' Netanyahu phone call that Harris hopes results in action

LAST UPDATE | 4 hrs ago

TAOISEACH SIMON HARRIS has said US President Joe Biden briefed him on his “lengthy” phone conversation with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today. 

Speaking after his meeting with Biden in the White House this afternoon, Harris said he left the Oval Office with a clear view that the conversation between the two leaders was a very important one.

Harris is in Washington DC to meet with the president to mark 100 years of Irish-US diplomatic relations.

Biden began the meeting by apologising to the Taoiseach that a reception in the White House’s Rose Garden had to be postponed, stating that due to the escalation of the hurricane off the coast of Florida.

“I’m sorry, we had hoped to have a big celebration for the hundredth anniversary,” Biden told Harris.

Hour-long meeting with Biden

Addressing the media after the hour-long meeting, Harris described the conversation Biden and Netanyahu had appeared to be “substantial”:

“He left me in no doubt that this was a conversation of substance and of depth in terms of actions that Israel needs to take in terms of aid, humanitarian aid, in terms of bringing about a ceasefire, he left me in absolutely no doubt about the redoubling of efforts by his own administration and others to try and bring about a ceasefire.

“He left me in no doubt that he sees a two-state solution as the only way forward in terms of bringing peace and stability to the region,” Harris told reporters. 

Harris said his understanding from the conversation that took place between Biden and Netanyahu is the US president “made it very clear to the Prime Minister of Israel, in no uncertain terms, the concerns of the United States of America in terms of the direction that Israel has continued to go on, in terms of civilian impact, in terms of lack of aid”. 

The Taoiseach said Biden left him in no doubt that this view was conveyed to the Israeli prime minister in no uncertain terms.

While Harris said it is for Biden to speak of his conversation with Netanyahu, he added: 

I’m very clear after my conversation with President Biden, that when he spoke to Prime Minister Netanyahu today, that it was a very serious conversation of substance about bringing about a cessation of violence.

“Ireland, of all countries, knows that the only way you bring about peace is through dialog and a political process,” said Harris.

Speaking specifically about Gaza, the Taoiseach said he made the Irish position clear.

“We know what it is like in Ireland to not feel seen by the world, that we know what it is like to have our national identity hijacked by a terrorist organisation because, of course, Palestine is not Hamas.

“Hamas is a despicable terrorist organisation, and the terrorist attack they carried out in Israel on the 7 October of last year should be condemned forevermore by all right thinking people. But proportionality has been completely and utterly lost by the Netanyahu government,” said the Taoiseach.  

He said he told the president that all countries should be doing everything within their capacity to stop the violence.

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“Of course, in relation to the United States, that does involve the issue of arming and providing arms ammunitions. 

Conversation with Netanyahu

“Quite honestly, I’ve left the Oval Office clear in the view that President Biden had a very important conversation with the Prime Minister of Israel today, and I really hope that that yields significant results, because the current situation, the killings, the bombings, the maimings, cannot continue,” he added. 

When questioned if he specifically on whether he called for the cessation of arms supply to Israel from the US, Harris said:

“I think I made it very clear at this stage that I specifically said to the President of the United States that the every country needs to look at every lever and has its disposal. And in relation to the United States, of course, the lever is the provision of arms.

“I am satisfied for the conversation that I had that President Biden is absolutely committed to seeing a ceasefire. And I absolutely leave the White House with the view that the President had a conversation with the Prime Minister of Israel today that I hope turns out to be one of real substance in terms of action,” he added. 

A White House readout on the phone call with Netanyahu contained no reference to a ceasefire.

It said that Biden had affirmed his “ironclad commitment” to Israel’s security.

The leaders also discussed legacy issues in Northern Ireland, the reset in relations between the UK and Ireland, Ukraine as well as the hurricane hitting Florida.

Harris said Biden is “deeply committed” to legacy issues in Northern Ireland, with Harris stating he updated the US President about a reset in relations between the Irish and UK Governments.

In particular, they specifically discussed the controversial Legacy Act that included an offer of conditional immunity for the perpetrators of Troubles crimes.

The new UK Government has committed to repealing that provision and some other contentious aspects of the act, such as its prohibition on inquests and civil cases linked to the conflict.

“I had an opportunity to brief him on the reset in Anglo Irish relations that myself and Prime Minister [Keir] Starmer have under way, and how I believe that will bring practical benefits for people across our island and across the two islands.

“We specifically discussed the issue of legacy, an issue which I know President Biden is deeply committed to, in terms of making sure that we have a mechanism for families in Northern Ireland for victims to have truth, reconciliation and justice.

“And I obviously reiterated my view and the Irish Government’s view that the current Legacy Act is not compatible with human rights and the current Legacy Act needs to be repealed and replaced and I acknowledged Prime Minister Starmer’s work in relation to that, and our wish to work with him on that.”

Harris also told reporters today that Biden intends to be a frequent visitor to Ireland, stating:

“I think the president made it clear to me that he intends to be a frequent visitor to Ireland, and I don’t think it’ll come as a surprise to anybody in Ireland.”

Earlier today, the Taoiseach met with Samantha Power of USAID to discuss cooperation between Irish Aid and USAID on humanitarian assistance needed in Gaza and in Sudan. This evening Harris is attending a business event at the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington DC. 

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