Alwaght- The Irish Prime Minister has announced his surprise resignation for "personal and political" reasons a few days days after he said in a press conference with US President Joe Biden that plight caused by Israeli genocidal war on Gaza was also felt for decades by his country.
He cited “personal and political, but mainly political reasons” for his surprise move.
Varadkar said he felt he was no longer the “best man” for the job.
Varadkar first became prime minister in 2017, after being elected leader of the Fine Gael party. He is the country’s youngest premier and Ireland’s first gay leader.
“I am resigning as president [of the party] and leader of Fine Gael effective today, and will resign as taoiseach [Irish prime minister] as soon as my successor is able to take up that office,” Varadkar said.
Varadkar’s announcement comes mere days after a headline-making trip to Washington DC which saw him challenge President Joe Biden over the US response to the war in Gaza.
In recent months, Ireland has emerged as one of Europe’s most outspoken critics of Israel’s deadly war against Hamas.
“The Irish people are deeply troubled about the catastrophe that’s unfolding before our eyes in Gaza,” Varadkar said, adding: “When I travel the world, leaders often ask me why the Irish have so much empathy for the Palestinian people. The answer is simple: we see our history in their eyes. A story of displacement and dispossession, a national identity questioned and denied, forced emigration, discrimination, and now hunger."
Varadkar reiterated his nation’s calls for a lasting ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and a two-state solution.
“The people of Gaza desperately need food, medicine and shelter. Most especially they need the bombs to stop. This has to stop. On both sides," he said.
He seems to have come under pressure for his sympathy with Gaza that has been under bombardment and starvation over the past 6 months while the West remains silent and even vetoes UN Security Council’s resolutions that call for ceasefire in Gaza.
Criticism against Israel is strongly silenced in the West, and Irish PM seems to be the latest victim.
