Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin used his address at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 25, 2026, to declare that when the true horrors of Gaza are fully revealed, “it will shame the world.” Speaking near the tail end of the high-level week, Martin criticized the international community for failing Palestine and called out Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for deliberately attempting to make a two-state solution impossible.
Gaza and the West Bank: Shaming the World
Addressing the UN chamber at approximately 8:00 pm local time, Martin focused his strongest remarks on the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
“When the full truth of what has happened – what is still happening – in Gaza is finally known, when the evidence is gathered, when the testimonies are heard, when the true horrors are finally and fully revealed, it will shame the world,” Martin told delegates, earning a round of applause led by the Palestinian delegation. He further described Israel’s actions in the West Bank as amounting to ethnic cleansing, citing the relentless expansion of settlements and violent settlers acting with near-total impunity.
Contrasting Diplomacy and UN Walkouts
Martin’s address followed a combative speech delivered earlier on Thursday by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which prompted a mass walkout from the UN hall by multiple delegations protesting military campaigns in Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Qatar, Yemen, and Iran. The Department of Foreign Affairs explained that Ireland maintains a presence for every leader’s speech regardless of whether the State agrees with the content.
In his own address, Martin also touched on a wide range of international crises. He reaffirmed Ireland’s support for Ukraine against Russia, stating that Moscow could halt its brutal attacks at any time. He drew attention to the war in Sudan, which he termed a “forgotten war,” and paid tribute to peacekeepers ahead of the ending of the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon. Regarding Iran, Martin said Tehran must never have a nuclear weapon, must cease attacks on neighbors and ships in the Strait of Hormuz, and urged a return to good-faith negotiations with the United States.
Did you know? While UN General Assembly speeches are formally limited to 15 minutes per country, world leaders frequently exceed the cap. Taoiseach Micheál Martin was among the few to strictly adhere to the 15-minute limit during the third day of the assembly.
Human Rights, Afghanistan, and UN Ambitions
Beyond active warzones, the Taoiseach used his platform to highlight global threats to human rights, pointing to the severe rollback of women’s rights under the Taliban in Afghanistan. He noted that girls are barred from secondary school and child marriage has been essentially legalized. He also warned that LGBTQI+ people face growing threats to their rights, safety, and dignity worldwide.
Tying these commitments to domestic policy, Martin formally pitched Ireland’s bid for election to the UN Human Rights Council for the 2027–2029 term. He concluded his address by commending outgoing UN Secretary-General António Guterres for his principled leadership over the past decade, particularly in tackling the climate crisis. Martin departed New York on the government jet immediately following his speech.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Micheál Martin say Gaza will shame the world?
In his UN General Assembly address, the Taoiseach argued that when evidence is gathered and testimonies are heard regarding civilian suffering and blocked humanitarian aid in Gaza, the full horror will expose a collective international failure.
What was Ireland’s stance on the UN walkout during Netanyahu’s speech?
While several international delegations and Spain—the only EU member state to do so—walked out during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address, the Irish delegation stayed. The Department of Foreign Affairs stated that Ireland maintains a presence for every leader’s speech.
What did the Taoiseach say about the West Bank?
Martin stated that the relentless expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and the displacement of Palestinian communities amount to ethnic cleansing, driven by violent settlers acting with near-total impunity.
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