During the annual St. Patrick's Day reception at the White House, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar and U.S. President Joe Biden discussed the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Varadkar, who has been vocal about his concerns regarding Israel's actions in Gaza, aimed to press Biden for a permanent ceasefire. The meeting, which traditionally celebrates Irish-American relations, took on a more serious tone this year due to the geopolitical tensions. Varadkar's visit was marked by a broader context of Irish discontent with the U.S. stance on the Israel-Hamas war, reflecting a significant shift in the usually festive atmosphere of the bilateral talks. Despite the underlying tensions, both leaders agreed on the need for a ceasefire in Gaza, highlighting a mutual concern for the humanitarian situation there. Irish Taoiseach Varadkar expressed on Wednesday that the situation in Gaza is catastrophic and of great concern.
WATCH: Biden Repeats Dubious Story About His Time Spent with Xi Jinping on the Tibetan Plateau During Remarks at St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon via @gatewaypundit https://t.co/5jG9vRuGRO
Ireland's Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, one of Europe's leading voices about the crisis in Gaza, told President Biden on Friday he wants to discuss working toward a cease-fire and moving towards a long-term agreement on a two-state solution. https://t.co/eC3Xt4B0ZG https://t.co/GZ0kg0OUIP
Biden's St. Patrick's Day meeting with Irish leader overshadowed by split on Gaza https://t.co/pozZifbBAe https://t.co/3JuArCQ4QI
While President Joe Biden received a warm welcome in Dublin last year, Irish lawmakers say he'd get no such reception now after months of war in Gaza. https://t.co/iuO7dmPKha
Tensions over Israel-Hamas war loom over Irish Taoiseach’s usually jovial annual visit to White House https://t.co/5kYDYJ2SNJ
Amid the pomp and pageantry to mark St. Patrick's Day, the diplomatic discussions at this year's festivities may have a certain edge to them, as public fury rises in Ireland over President Biden's stance on the Israel-Hamas war. https://t.co/pI15966lBh
BREAKING: Ireland's Prime Minister Leo Varadkar and US President Joe Biden have agreed on the need for a Gaza ceasefire. @skydavidblevins has the latest from Washington as the two leaders meet. https://t.co/E2VU1SmunH 📺 Sky 501 and YouTube https://t.co/BhaubLEq9F
Irish PM arrives at the WH https://t.co/LEGmUCTEbs
During a St. Patrick’s Day visit to the White House, Ireland’s Taoiseach is expected to push President Biden to call for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza https://t.co/t4H7haCDFu https://t.co/t4H7haCDFu
"The situation in Gaza is catastrophic and of great concern, and I have to say I believe President Biden's heart is in the right place here," Irish Taoiseach Varadkar said Wednesday. https://t.co/Fm42xjoxHF
Prime Minister Leo Varadkar of Ireland has been one of the most outspoken critics of Israel’s war and has promised to raise the issue during a White House meeting meant to mark St. Patrick’s Day. https://t.co/pFl3DsXAiN
Ireland’s current Taoiseach turns an event that grants the country an outsized opportunity into a polarizing event Biden-Ireland Split on Israel Casts Shadow Over St. Patrick’s Day @WSJ @catherine_lucey https://t.co/S1MLXlcPP1
⚠️ JOE BIDEN TO MEET IRISH PM AMID ANGER OVER WAR IN GAZA Full Story → https://t.co/YYJMNavIXD U.S. President Joe Biden will host Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on Friday for the annual St. Patrick's Day reception at the White House, even as a portion of the usual Irish… https://t.co/gR9RGs4uVq
Joe Biden faces Irish anger on St. Patrick's Day https://t.co/x2Nz2yRCcM https://t.co/hQEgNIRVvC
NEW @J_Insider via @LahavHarkov: "Gaza at top of the agenda for Irish PM’s White House visit" "Irish leader plans to ask Biden to facilitate an immediate cease-fire; his St. Patrick’s Day trip was dogged by calls to boycott the U.S. because it supports Israel"…
Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister plans to press Trudeau on UNRWA funding, Gaza aid in Toronto meeting https://t.co/zsw1l2Bc77