Irish Government Distances Itself from President Higgins‘ Call to Re-evaluate US and Israel‘s UN Membership
The Irish government has publicly distanced itself from remarks made by President Michael D. Higgins calling for the potential exclusion of Israel and countries supplying it with arms - including the US and the UK - from the United Nations. The President’s comments stemmed from his belief that these nations are supporting genocide in Gaza.
Speaking at a recent event, Mr. Higgins stated,”I believe myself that the kind of actions that are necessary now are the exclusion of those who are practising genocide,and those who are supporting genocide with armaments… We must look at their exclusion from the United Nations itself,and we should have no hesitation any longer in relation to ending trade with people who are inflicting this at our fellow human beings.”
Government spokespeople addressed the President’s comments on Wednesday, acknowledging his right to express his views while clarifying they diverge from official government policy.The Government Press Secretary stated,”I don’t believe that is the official Government policy… The President has always been very outspoken… He is entitled to hold those views,but the government approach is working through the UN and the EU.” The Deputy Press Secretary, speaking for Tánaiste Simon Harris, echoed this sentiment.
This is not the first instance of President Higgins publicly expressing views that differ from the government line, particularly on foreign policy. While previous administrations maintained a convention of presidential silence on conflicting policy positions, Mr. Higgins has increasingly deviated from this norm, though government officials have largely refrained from public criticism.
The UN Charter does allow for the suspension or expulsion of member states,though no country has ever been expelled. South Africa was suspended by the General Assembly in 1974 due to its apartheid policies.
A spokesperson for the President defended his remarks, stating he was responding to the findings of a report chaired by Navi Pillay concluding there is evidence of genocide and suggesting exclusion as one option for the international community, citing previous precedent.
The article originally appeared in the Irish Times on September 16,2025.
