Ireland’s Ambassador to Israel has told Israeli officials that the Government is ‘surprised’ at the Israeli Government's criticism of the Taoiseach’s tweet about Emily Hand’s release.

Leo Varadkar was heavily criticised by the Israeli Foreign minister after he tweeted that “an innocent child who was lost” had been “found and returned” after Emily was released by Hamas.

The nine-year-old spent 50 days in Hamas custody after being kidnapped during the attack on Israel on October 7th.

The Taoiseach’s tweet was described as ‘misleading’ in community notes added by readers – who claimed the use of the term ‘lost’ was inappropriate as it fails to highlight the fact that Emily was kidnapped and released as part of a hostage deal.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen criticised the Taoiseach’s “outrageous words” and summoned the Irish Ambassador for a “reprimand”.

In this photo provided by the Israeli Army Emily Hand is reunited with her father, 26-11-2023. Image: Associated Press / Alamy

This morning, Irish Ambassador Sonya McGuinness met with Israel’s Director General for Europe at its Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem.

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Ambassador McGuinness presented the ministry with the full statements issued by both the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste in the wake of Emily’s release.

It said the statements “referenced the traumatic experience endured by Emily and her family” and “called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas in Gaza”.

“In this context, Ambassador McGuinness expressed surprise on the part of the Irish Government that these expressions of evident relief at Emily’s release had been publicly criticised by the Israeli Government,” it said.

The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in Dublin Castle following the riots in the city last night, 24-11-2023. Image: Sam Boal/RollingNews

The Department said Ambassador McGuinness also used the meeting to reiterate Ireland’s "unequivocal position" that all hostages held by Hamas should be immediately and unconditionally released.

She also underlined the “importance of fully respecting International Humanitarian Law and getting desperately needed humanitarian supplies to civilians in Gaza”.

The Ambassador also expressed Ireland’s wish that the current truce should become a “sustainable humanitarian ceasefire” that allows the international community to focus on a pathway to 2deliver a two-state solution which can allow the people of Israel and Palestine to live in peace and security as neighbours”.

This is a day of enormous joy and relief for Emily Hand and her family. An innocent child who was lost has now been found and returned, and we breathe a massive sigh of relief. Our prayers have been answered.

— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) November 25, 2023

Speaking over the weekend, the Taoiseach said he believed “the vast majority of people understand what I was saying, recalling the amazing joy and awe that occurs when a child comes home”.

He said he has always been “consistent in my unequivocal condemnation of Hamas and hostage-taking”.

On Newstalk Breakfast this morning Israeli Government spokesman Eylon Levy described the tweet as “deeply insensitive” – noting that it “caused a lot of hurt” in Israel.

Also on the show Fine Gael TD Jennifer Carroll McNeill noted that the Taoiseach has condemned Hamas “at every stage” and his statement should not be taken out of context.