- Mr Varadkar said Emily was ‘lost’ and ‘has now been found and returned’
- The message sparked an angry response from Israel’s foreign minister
Released hostage Emily Hand found herself at the center of a diplomatic row between Israel and Ireland just hours after being reunited with her father.
The row began after Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar posted on X, formerly Twitter, on day two of the ceasefire about the release of Emily, along with twelve other hostages.
She was pictured running excitedly into the hands of her delighted father Tom Hand after the two were reunited at a hospital near Tel Aviv early on Sunday morning.
When the two met, Mr Varadkar wrote: ‘This is a day of immense 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 huge sigh of relief. Our prayers have been answered.”
Released hostage Emily Hand found herself at the center of a diplomatic row between Israel and Ireland just hours after being reunited with her father (pictured together)
The row started after Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar (pictured) posted on X, formerly Twitter, about the release of Emily, along with 12 other hostages on day two of the ceasefire.
Mr Varadkar wrote: ‘This is a day of immense 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 huge sigh of relief. Our prayers have been answered.”
The message prompted an angry response from Eli Cohen, Israel’s Foreign Minister, who said: “Mr. Prime Minister. Emily Hand is not lost, perhaps you have lost your moral compass and connection to reality.
‘Emily Hand was kidnapped by a terrorist organization worse than ISIS after her stepmother was murdered.
“Emily and more than thirty other Israeli children have been kidnapped by Hamas, and you are trying to legitimize this. You should be ashamed !’
As the row escalated, the Irish ambassador to Israel, Sonya McGuinness, was called to the Foreign Office for an explanation.
Mr Cohen said: ‘Following the outrageous words of the Prime Minister of Ireland regarding the release of Emily Hand, who was abducted to Gaza by the terrorist organization Hamas, I have summoned the Irish Ambassador to Israel for a reprimand.’
While the Ireland Israel Alliance branded the post as ‘very embarrassing’ and urged Mr Varadkar to send a follow-up message.
Meanwhile, Emily is said to be recovering well from her nightmare ordeal with her father Tom and step-siblings Natali and Aiden.
She was snatched from a kibbutz in Be’eri – visited last week by Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron – on October 7 along with at least 40 other people.
The message prompted an angry response from Eli Cohen (pictured), Israel’s Foreign Minister, who said: “Mr Prime Minister. Emily Hand is not lost, perhaps you have lost your moral compass and connection to reality.
Emily was one of thirteen Israeli nationals released from terrorist group Hamas yesterday and celebrated her ninth birthday while in captivity
She was snatched in her pajamas during Hamas’ invasion of Israel on October 7, during which some 240 prisoners were returned to Gaza
Emily is brought to safety by armed Hamas militants after 50 days in captivity
Dozens were killed there by Hamas terrorists who invaded southern Israel, leaving more than 1,200 people dead.
Emily celebrated her ninth birthday while being held in Gaza and was at a sleepover with her friend Hila when she was snatched.
Hila and her mother Rava Rotem were also taken and although Hila was released, Hamas refused to let her mother go and she is still being held.
In a statement, the Hand family said: “We remember Raya Rotem and all the hostages who have yet to return.
“We will persevere in doing everything in our power to bring them back home.”
In addition to 13 Israeli hostages, four other foreigners were released and the aim is for 50 to be freed before the end of the 96-hour ceasefire on Monday.
Israeli officials say two Britons are still being held and the hostages will be exchanged for 300 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.