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“An affront to all that is decent,” Taoiseach takes aim at Israel at the UN.

Published 08:55 25 Sept 2026 BST

Updated 09:46 25 Sept 2026 BST

Aoife Moore
“An affront to all that is decent,” Taoiseach takes aim at Israel at the UN.

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"Nobody will able to say we did not know," Micheal Martin said to applause from the room.

The Taoiseach received applause mid-speech at the UN General Assembly in New York yesterday (Thursday) for his support of Palestine.

Micheal Martin told gathered world leaders that Ireland stood with Palestine and criticised Israel in his most strident speech on the Gaza genocide yet.

"We, the collected international community, have failed Palestine," he said.

"Ireland, like most gathered here, believe that the only viable solution to the decades of conflict, misery, and wasted human lives is a situation where a state of Palestine and a state of Israel live side by side in peace, security, and dignity.

"What we are witnessing on the ground is a deliberate attempt by some to make the prospect of a two-state solution impossible.

This is not some mad conspiracy theory. It is the stated intent of the Prime Minister of Israel, who said clearly that, and I quote; 'We are going to fulfil our promise that there will be no Palestinian state. This place belongs to us,' as he permitted the E1 illegal development in East Jerusalem.

"The situation in Gaza remains an affront to all that is decent. How can we tolerate a situation where civilians are so desperate for shelter that they have to make their homes in war-damaged and unsafe buildings?

"Where eight children died because one of them collapsed, where the most basic humanitarian aid, food, and shelter is deliberately impeded.

"When the full truth of what has happened, what is still happening in Gaza, is finally known, when the evidence is gathered, when the testimonies are heard, when the true horrors are finally and fully revealed, it will shame the world. Nobody will be able to say that we did not know."

At this, the room applauded. Both representatives from Palestine and Israel were present.

The Fianna Fail leader also highlighted the war in Sudan, paid tribute to the ending of the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon, spoke about women's rights in Afghanistan and expressed fears for the LGBTQI+ community there.

He also pitched for Ireland to be part of the UN's Human Rights Council for the 2027–2029 term.