https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41493389.html
US political adviser resigns after calling for Israel to 'drop napalm' over Irish peacekeepers

The Irish Defence Forces are serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon. File picture: Pexels
Thu, 10 Oct, 2024 - 19:59
Steven Heaney

A former adviser to the Trump administration has resigned from his position as an adviser to a Republican candidate for congress following a deleted X/Twitter post he made last week calling for the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) to drop napalm over where Irish peacekeepers are currently stationed in Lebanon.

On Sunday, October 6, Matthew RJ Brodsky, who previously advised the Trump administration’s Middle East peace team and the White House’s Palestinian-Israeli peace team, quote-tweeted a post from a X/Twitter user mapping the areas in south Lebanon in which Irish peacekeepers are currently positioned.

In his post, Mr Brodsky, who is also a senior fellow at the Washington-based think tank the Gold Institute for International Strategy, stated that Israel "should carpet bomb the Irish area and then drop napalm over it". His post was later deleted.

In a separate post on October 5, Mr Brodsky, quote-tweeted a post from another user on the Irish peacekeepers in Lebanon, saying: "I hope every one of those useless POS Irishmen are blasted to bits."

Mr Brodsky's account is currently suspended, though it is not clear if it was suspended because of either post.

On Monday, Dalia al-Aqidi, a Republican running for election in Minnesota’s 5th congressional district, and for whom Mr Brodsky had been working as an adviser, distanced herself from Mr Brodsky's comment, saying his remarks did not reflect her "campaign, policies, or personal beliefs".

In a subsequent statement on Wednesday, Ms al-Aqidi confirmed that she had "requested and accepted Matthew Brodsky’s resignation as campaign manager".

She said that Mr Brodsky recognised that stepping down "was necessary following recent statements on X that do not reflect my values or the principles of my campaign".

"I unequivocally condemn his statement," she said.

My campaign has requested and accepted Matthew Brodsky’s resignation as campaign manager. Mr. Brodsky recognized that stepping down was necessary following recent statements on X that do not reflect my values or the principles of my campaign.

I unequivocally condemn his… pic.twitter.com/lDOZbPUz1D
— Dalia al-Aqidi (@Dalia4Congress)
October 9, 2024

"As someone who has always been a steadfast supporter of the Jewish community both in my district and globally, I remain committed to promoting peace and upholding the dignity of all people, particularly our allies.

"These are the values I will carry forward into the general election."

She also personally extend her "sincerest apologies to the people of Ireland and anyone affected by the actions of a member of my campaign team".

It is understood Mr Brodsky had also been working as an adviser to another Republican, John Nagel, who is running for election to District 46A of the Minnesota House of Representatives. Mr Nagel has not released any statement on the matter.

Opened fire

Also on Thursday, the Defence Forces confirmed that Irish troops based in Lebanon are safe and accounted for after Israeli troops opened fire at three positions held by UN peacekeepers.

The Irish Defence Forces are currently serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) amid heightened conflict in the region.

All necessary force protection measures are being strictly observed by all Irish personnel, and we can confirm that Irish positions have not faced incoming fire.

"Our soldiers continue to operate effectively in austere field conditions, thanks to their robust training received at home and the strength of character that they continue to demonstrate," a Defence Forces spokesperson told the Irish Examiner.

"The safety of our personnel remains the top priority as the situation evolves."

In a statement, Unifil said Israeli forces had “repeatedly hit” UN positions in the last 24 hours, and that two peacekeepers had been injured.

Unifil said IDF soldiers "deliberately fired at and disabled the positions' perimeter-monitoring cameras" and had also "deliberately fired on UNP 1-32A in Ras Naqoura, where regular tripartite meetings were held before the conflict began, damaging lighting and a relay station".

An Unifil spokesperson reminded the Israeli Defence Forces of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property and to respect the inviolability of UN premises at all times.

"Any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a grave violation of international humanitarian law and of Security Council resolution 1701," it said.