From the Liveblog of
Saturday, November 25, 2023
Irish PM says relieved Emily Hand has been ‘found’ after she was ‘lost’; is slammed over wording
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
In a post that has quickly been lambasted on Twitter, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar welcomes the release of Israeli-Irish hostage Emily Hand, “an innocent child who was lost has now been found and returned.”
The passive tweet from Varadkar does not mention that the 9-year-old Hand had been held hostage for 50 days in Gaza by Hamas terrorists after she was kidnapped from a sleepover with her friend.
“We breathe a massive sigh of relief. Our prayers have been answered,” he says.
Varadkar draws flak from Israeli officials and Jewish groups over the wording of the statement.
This is how you describe a little girl who went missing during a stroll in a forest, then gets discovered by a friendly hiker. Not a girl brutally abducted by death squads that brutally massacred her neighbors. But this explains the extent of Ireland's contribution: prayers. https://t.co/tewkG4WhqZ
— Eylon Levy (@EylonALevy) November 25, 2023
Emily Hand was not ‘lost’ or mislaid. This is NOT an Oscar Wilde play @LeoVaradkar Emily was cruelly abducted by #Hamas terrorists. Israeli pressure brought her home. https://t.co/hWHiNEYcwV
— Irish Jewish Voice (@Irishchutzpah) November 26, 2023
"LOST"! You're a disgrace
Emily Hand was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists who murdered many of her friends & neighbours.
She was released NOT because of your prayers but due to the military pressure @IDF dealt to Hamas – the same pressure you dislike so much. https://t.co/d7ZtYKFU2a
— NW Friends of Israel (@NorthWestFOI) November 25, 2023
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