Former CIA Director Praises Ireland’s Stance on Palestine

Irish Government’s Position on Israel Gains Noteworthy Acclaim

A former top U.S. intelligence official is commending Ireland’s strong stance against Israel. The praise comes amid rising international scrutiny of the conflict and the state of Palestine’s recognition by Ireland.

Key Praise from John Brennan

John Brennan, who directed the CIA from 2013 to 2017, has lauded the Irish government. He noted that Ireland is a global leader for its support of Palestinians. The former CIA boss’s comments came after Ireland officially recognized the State of Palestine last May.

“Bibi [Benjamin] Netanyahu and his right-wing coalition really do not want to allow the Palestinian Authority or any Palestinian governing body to be able to flourish.

—John Brennan, Former CIA Director

The Hamas-controlled Health Ministry estimates that since the conflict restarted, more than 55,000 people have died in Gaza. Reports show that over 2.2 million Palestinians are now in desperate need of humanitarian assistance (UN OCHA 2024).

Understanding the Context

Brennan further stated that many Americans were pleased to see Ireland acknowledge the Palestinian state. He added that Ireland has subsequently adopted a stern position against Israel. He also stated that the situation has regrettably worsened over the last several decades.