Taoiseach Micheál Martin stated he would be “demanding answers” from Israel following an incident where Israeli troops opened fire on a European Union delegation that included two Irish diplomats in the occupied West Bank.
The Israeli military reported that warning shots were fired during the visit of foreign diplomats to the town of Jenin, attracting condemnation amid growing pressure on Israel to permit aid access to Gaza.
The two Irish diplomats involved in the incident included the head of mission at the Irish Representative Office in Palestine and the deputy head of the mission.
In a statement, Mr. Martin condemned the “aggressive and violent act,” asserting that the international community would be “demanding answers” from Israel.
I am deeply shocked and horrified that the Israeli Defence Forces today opened fire on a group of diplomats visiting the town of Jenin. Thankfully, nobody was killed or injured. pic.twitter.com/Bz0iaIoOyu
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) May 21, 2025
“I unreservedly condemn this aggressive, intimidatory, and violent act. This is not, and must never be, a normal way to behave.
“We and the international community will demand answers from Israel on how this incident transpired and will seek assurances that it will never occur again.
“Diplomats play a crucial role in representing countries. They should be allowed to perform their duties without impediment and should never fear becoming targets.”
Watch: IDF fires warning shots during diplomatic delegation visit to Jenin
Tánaiste Simon Harris has reached out directly to Feilim McLaughlin, the Representative of Ireland to the Palestinian National Authority, to express his full support and best wishes to him and his team based in Ramallah.
Separately, following the Tánaiste’s instructions, a senior official from the Department of Foreign Affairs delivered a démarche to Ambassador Dana Erlich, Israel’s non-resident ambassador to Ireland, condemning the incident and expressing concerns.
A démarche is a formal protest conveyed through diplomatic channels.
Concerns were raised regarding the safety of Irish personnel, and the ambassador was informed that Ireland views this incident as a clear violation of international law concerning the protection of diplomats.
It was emphasized that the incident should not be dismissed as merely an “inconvenience,” a term previously used by the IDF when expressing regret.
The Irish ambassador urged Israeli authorities to fully condemn the incident and provide a comprehensive explanation of what occurred.
Mr. Harris has called for a thorough investigation and accountability for those responsible.
Watch: IDF soldiers responsible for firing near delegation must be ‘held to account’ – Harris
He remarked: “Our head of mission in Palestine and his deputy were present alongside various diplomats from Europe and other regions, visiting Jenin—a routine visit critical to their diplomatic responsibilities.
“This visit had been communicated to the IDF in advance, and the act of the Israeli Defence Forces firing shots in their direction is utterly reprehensible and unacceptable, demanding a comprehensive investigation and accountability.
“We do not seek vague apologies from Israel; we want clarity on how this occurred, a complete investigation, and accountability for those involved.”
Mr. Harris expressed at a Fine Gael party meeting that the shooting at diplomats was repugnant and reiterated the need for a thorough inquiry and accountability.
He affirmed that Irish diplomats would remain undeterred in their commitments.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has called on Israel to hold accountable those involved in the shooting near Jenin, a known center for Palestinian armed groups and frequently targeted by Israeli operations.
The Palestinian foreign ministry accused Israel of having “deliberately targeted an accredited diplomatic delegation with live fire.”
The Israeli military contended that “the delegation deviated from the approved route,” leading troops to issue “warning shots” to prevent them from entering “an area where they were unauthorized.”
In a statement, the Israeli military expressed regret for the “inconvenience” caused by the shooting, which fortunately resulted in no injuries.
This incident coincided with escalating international pressure on Israel regarding its ongoing conflict in Gaza, where Palestinians are desperately awaiting essential supplies following a partial easing of the two-month aid blockade.
IDF troops pictured next to an armored vehicle while conducting a raid in Jenin
Rescuers in Palestinian territories, where Israeli assaults have recently intensified, reported that overnight attacks killed at least 19 people, including an infant just one week old.
France and Italy have announced they will summon Israeli ambassadors to their respective countries regarding the incident.
France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot labeled the shooting as “unacceptable” and stated that the ambassador would be called in “to provide an explanation.”
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani remarked that “threats against diplomats are unacceptable.”
Germany has also “strongly condemned” the shooting incident involving Israeli troops near the diplomats, including a German representative.
“The Israeli government must promptly investigate the circumstances,” said a spokesperson from the foreign ministry.
Egypt condemned the shot fired near the delegation, which included Cairo’s ambassador to Ramallah, “in the strongest terms.”
The Egyptian foreign ministry indicated that the event “violates all diplomatic norms” and “demanded explanations from the Israeli side” regarding its circumstances.
Turkey remarked that “this attack … endangered the lives of diplomats” and called for an investigation and accountability from Israel.
‘Unbearable’
Israel reported that 93 trucks entered Gaza yesterday but faced allegations that the quantity was insufficient to meet the urgent needs.
The United Nations indicated that aid had been delayed.
On Monday, the UN announced it had received clearance to send aid for the first time since the total blockade imposed by Israel on March 2, leading to critical shortages of food and medicine.
Umm Talal al-Masri, 53, a displaced Palestinian residing in Gaza City, described the situation as “unbearable.”
A Palestinian boy in Gaza waits for a ration of food as critical supplies dwindle in Israel’s blockade
“No one is distributing anything to us. Everyone is waiting for aid, but we haven’t received anything,” she told AFP.
“We’re grinding lentils and pasta to make some loaves of bread, managing barely one meal a day.”
Israel faces immense pressure, including from its traditional allies, to cease its intensified assaults and allow aid delivery into Gaza.
‘Reckless act’
Numerous European nations swiftly condemned the shooting incident in the occupied West Bank, with Belgium demanding a “convincing explanation” and Italy reiterating that “threats against diplomats are unacceptable.”
Ahmad al-Deek, political advisor for the Palestinian foreign ministry, stated he was leading the delegation.
“We condemn this reckless act by the Israeli army, especially considering it had given the diplomatic delegation an opportunity to witness life as experienced by the Palestinian people,” he commented.
A European diplomat present during the trip reported hearing “repeated shots” from inside the Jenin refugee camp, which has seen its population drastically reduced due to ongoing Israeli operations since January.
EU diplomats and Palestinian officials pictured at metal gates established by the Israeli military in Jenin
“We were on a visit with the governor of Jenin to the camp border to observe the devastation,” the diplomat shared.
A video released by the Palestinian foreign ministry showed two Israeli soldiers pointing weapons at a group of individuals from behind metal gates, coinciding with the sound of gunfire.
AFP was unable to immediately verify the video’s authenticity; however, a journalist in Jenin indicated that the footage appears to depict the camp’s eastern entrance.
Since January, major Israeli operations aimed at curtailing militant groups have led to the installation of metal gates at the entrances to the Jenin camp, which now remains sparsely populated and largely occupied by Israeli forces.
The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) stated that as of March 31, the military operation had displaced approximately 16,000 individuals in Jenin.
Additional reporting by Mícheál Lehane
