President Michael D Higgins has accused the United Nations Security Council of failing "again and again" by not dealing with current famines including what he called the "forced starvation" of the people of Gaza.
Speaking at the National Famine Commemoration in Kilmallock, Co Limerick, President Higgins said that the population of Gaza is being subjected to "forced starvation" where hunger is being used as "an instrument of war".
In off script remarks, President Higgins called on the UN General Assembly to speak and act on the issue of famine if the Security Council refuses to do so.
He said: "When the Security Council fails us as it does again and again, in responding to what I have been describing as the current conditions, we must return to the exceptional measures that are available to us that I remember discussing at the time of the Iraq war, that are available from the General Assembly.
"The General Assembly must speak and act if in fact the Security Council refuses to deal with terrible famines that are now facing us."
Watch: President says UN General Assembly must speak and act on issue of famine
President Higgins said that in Gaza, trucks with food, medicine and water are blocked at three entry points and this included aid from Ireland.
The President cited the comments of UN Secretary General António Guterres saying "as aid dries up, the floodgates of horror have re-opened. Gaza is a killing field – and civilians are in an endless death loop."
President Higgins also mentioned the response of the Irish Government, which he said is asking all members of the European Union to act together to avoid what would be "a massive loss of life".
He said the Horn of Africa has endured devastating hunger three times in the three decades.
"On each occasion, the world said 'never again' when details of the famine were reported to the United Nations. Yet, each time, famine has returned.
"Hunger is at the heart of the involuntary mass migration which we now see, one which leads to contested space."
Speaking after his address, President Higgins said that looking back, he should have been a lot harder and more vocal on the issue of being labelled anti-Semitic for criticism of the Israeli government.
He said: "How is it that anyone who criticises the actions of Netanyahu, his government and police, that they somehow or another, are anti-Semitic. I wasn't.
"I think, why should people be cowed into silence because they are critical of what's happening.
"I think it is necessary, very necessary that people speak out very clearly about saying that Ireland is not an anti-Semitic country."
The President said that language was being distorted and he has been outspoken and critical of the actions of Hamas in October 2023.
He said it was important now to speak out on behalf of the Irish people and defend our reputation against accusations of anti-Semitism.
"It's very important to defend one's own reputation, and it's also important to realise what we're dealing with. We're dealing with an extraordinary savage attack on people in the West Bank," he added.
He advocated for a General Assembly resolution to address Gaza’s crisis, including severe malnutrition and lack of clean water.
Watch: President says population of Gaza being subjected to 'forced starvation'
More than one million people died during the famine between 1845 and 1852 and more than two million more emigrated during this time.
The event includes a wreath-laying ceremony, music and prayers of remembrance in tribute to those who died in the famine.
Music was provided by local musicians Liam Flanagan, Sean Ó Fearghail and Ciara Flanagan, and pupils from Scoil Mocheallóg read the poem Threnody by Flann O'Connor.
Students from Coláiste Iósaef read a letter from Dr Morgan David O'Connell to the Kilmllock Board of Guardians from 1847.
