Irish ambassador to Israel expresses ‘surprise’ over reaction to Leo Varadkar tweet

Sonya McGuinness, the Irish ambassador to Israel, has expressed “surprise” on behalf of the Irish government that the Taoiseach’s response to the release of Emily Hand from Hamas captivation was met with harsh criticism from Israeli officials.

According to a statement from the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, McGuinness reiterated Ireland’s “unequivocal position that all hostages held by Hamas should be immediately and unconditionally released”, and urged both sides to extend the current four-day truce ...