'Completely unacceptable' - Simon Harris confirms Irish diplomats fired at by IDF in West Bank

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris has confirmed that two Irish diplomats were among an EU delegation that was fired upon by the IDF in the West Bank on Wednesday.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the Tánaiste said: "I am shocked and appalled at reports that the IDF fired shots in the vicinity of a visit to Jenin today by a group of diplomats, including two Irish diplomats based in Ramallah. Fortunately, no-one was hurt."

Harris added: "This is completely unacceptable and I condemn it in the strongest terms."

I am shocked and appalled at reports that the IDF fired shots in the vicinity of a visit to Jenin today by a group of diplomats, including two Irish diplomats based in Ramallah. Fortunately, no-one was hurt. This is completely unacceptable and I condemn it in the strongest terms.

— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) May 21, 2025

The IDF have said that Israeli troops fired warning shots during the diplomats' visit to the occupied territory which has since attracted major international criticism.

According to a statement from the Israeli Foreign Ministry, the "delegation deviated from the approved route and entered an area where they were not authorised to be."

.@IDF: Earlier today (Wednesday), a coordinated entry of a diplomatic delegation into Jenin took place. As part of the coordination, an approved route was provided to the delegation members, which they were instructed to follow due to the area being an active combat zone.… pic.twitter.com/52oFW5A6Jb

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) May 21, 2025

They added that no injuries or damages have been reported from the incident. 

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