Higgins Urges European Presidents to Act on Gaza: “Moral Failure” Without Initiative

Irish President michael D. Higgins has issued a powerful appeal to his‍ European counterparts,urging them to take decisive action regarding the escalating crisis in Gaza. In⁤ a⁢ letter addressed to the Arraiolos Group, an assembly of non-executive European presidents, Higgins declared that a ⁢”failure⁤ to take an initiative will be rightly construed as a moral failure.”

The stark warning comes amidst dire reports from Gaza, ⁢where the health ministry in the Hamas-run enclave states⁤ that dozens have died from malnutrition in recent‍ weeks, with aid organizations highlighting the pervasive threat of mass hunger.

President Higgins conveyed his ⁣”deep sense of grief”‍ in the letter, acknowledging the ongoing “unacceptable violence” causing “immeasurable suffering” not only in Ukraine and Sudan but also in “too many other parts of our ⁣shared world.” He specifically⁣ recalled the “horrific atrocities carried out⁣ by Hamas” in October 2023, which were “rightly condemned by all member states.” At that time, the Arraiolos Group had called for the unconditional release of all hostages.

“While ⁢Israel has a right to defend ⁤itself,” President Higgins stated, “we cannot let that horrific ‍event provide a licence or cover for the totally unacceptable loss of ⁣life, including from malnutrition and‍ dehydration by infants and mothers ⁢that is now being perpetrated in ⁢Gaza.”

The current conflict, which began in response to Hamas’s October ⁤7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200 people ‍and saw 250 taken⁣ hostage, ⁤has devastated Gaza. The Israeli offensive⁤ has left much of the territory, home to over two million Palestinians, in ruins. According to the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry, approximately 60,000 people have been killed, with⁤ a meaningful majority ‍being civilians. ⁣Recent reports indicate further casualties,‍ with Gaza’s civil defense agency stating ‍that 16⁢ people were killed by Israeli fire on the morning of July 28, 2025.

A Call for ‍Collective European Action

In his correspondence, President Higgins echoed the urgent calls from UN Secretary General António Guterres for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and full, unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza. ⁣He expressed his conviction that the Arraiolos Group possesses a⁣ “strong voice and leadership role to offer in relation to what is happening in Gaza.”

“Silence, ⁤failure to take an initiative⁣ will be rightly construed as a moral failure,”⁢ Higgins ⁤reiterated.

He concluded his appeal by respectfully requesting the⁢ Group to “consider adding its powerful voice ‍to the international community⁣ calls for a halt to the avoidable loss of life of civilians in Gaza,‍ the unconditional release of all hostages, and full-unimpeded humanitarian⁣ access to Gaza.”

The Arraiolos Group comprises presidents from Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Malta, Poland, ⁤Portugal, ⁢Slovakia, and Slovenia, representing a significant⁢ collective influence within Europe.