AHEAD OF A meeting of Foreign Ministers in Copenhagen today Tánaiste Simon Harris called on the EU “as a whole” to protest the decision made by the US to deny and revoke visas for Palestinian officials ahead of a UN general assembly meeting next month. 

“A huge amount of work has been done, led by the French and the Saudis, to prepare for a conference on a two state solution,” Harris said this morning. 

“The idea that the leader of the Palestinian Authority would be deprived an opportunity to attend that is unacceptable,” he added. 

Harris went on to call for the EU as a whole to protest the decision. 

The Tánaiste is in Copenhagen for an informal Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) meeting. 

He said that the ongoing famine and military campaign waged by Israel in Gaza would be discussed at the meeting, and he called for “concrete action” to be taken in terms of “robust” sanctions on Israel. 

“If you are found to be in breach of human rights clauses under an EU association agreement, that is not a consequence free zone,” the Tánaiste said. 

He added that the EU’s “credibility is on the line” unless it takes action to stop the “horrific genocide” in Gaza.

He said that today he hoped the EU would move beyond words of condemnation as he believes that people across Europe feel that the EU “is not doing enough” to intervene in the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. 

“We are now hearing of children who cannot even cry because they no longer have the strength,” Harris added. 

Harris also said that the ongoing invasion of Ukraine would be discussed, including a detailed look into how frozen assets are being used. 

He said that Putin is “making a mockery” of the international communities’ attempts to foster peace in Ukraine, as he will not agree to an unconditional ceasefire, and won’t make plans to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 

“His reign of terror continues,” Harris said, referencing the ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine, which include a massive overnight attack on central and southeastern Ukraine overnight that has killed at least one person. 

Harris also said how “relieved” he is that aid worker Gena Heraty has been released by ker kidnappers in Haiti. 

He said that Heraty is an “incredible, incredible humanitarian” and that she “represents the very best of us”.