Tánaiste Micheál Martin has called for the immediate release of Israeli hostages being held in Gaza on the first anniversary of the October 7 attacks.
More than 1,000 Israelis were killed on October 7, 2023, including 797 civilians and 36 children, in a series of attacks by Palestinian militants including Hamas.
The attacks sparked an Israeli response which has left more than 40,000 dead in Gaza and further conflict in Lebanon in recent days.
Speaking on the anniversary of the attacks, Mr Martin said he recognised the hurt and sorrow of the Israeli and Jewish communities.
“The horror of these attacks remains imprinted in our minds. I reiterate Ireland’s unequivocal condemnation of them,” the Tánaiste said.
“I think today of the hostages still in Gaza and their families who desperately want them home. I call again for their immediate release.
“I recognise the hurt and sorrow of the Israeli people, and of the Jewish and Israeli communities here in Ireland and throughout the world.
Mr Martin added it was not possible to view the anniversary in isolation from the outrage at the death and destruction suffered by ordinary Palestinians in Gaza over the past twelve months.
“Ireland’s position is clear and on the record. The violence must stop,” he said.
“There must be an immediate ceasefire and hostage release deal, and a massive scaling up of humanitarian assistance into Gaza.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said October 7 was the “darkest day in Jewish history since the Holocaust”.
“One year on from these horrific attacks we must unequivocally stand with the Jewish community and unite as a country. We must never look the other way in the face of hate,” Mr Starmer said.
The mother of the only British hostage remaining in Gaza told an anniversary event in Hyde Park on Sunday of the “nightmare” her daughter has endured.
Mandy Damari, 63, told the event her 28-year-old British daughter Emily was kidnapped almost a year ago from Kibbutz Kfar Aza.
“It is breaking my heart a little more, day by day,” Ms Damari said.
“Soon there will be nothing left of my heart - or Emily. We cannot let another day pass.
“We cannot afford to lose any more lives to this nightmare. We don’t need tea and sympathy, we need actions not words.”