The Irish premier's annual Saint Patrick's Day visit to the White House is normally a joyful affair -- but this year the war in Gaza cast a shadow darker than a rainy Dublin sky.

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar and President Joe Biden -- who loves to celebrate his Irish ancestry -- found themselves having to paper over a deep split over Israel's handling of the conflict.

Varadkar has been one of Europe's most critical leaders over the situation in Gaza, calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. Biden meanwhile continues to send key US ally Israel weapons, while pushing for a six-week truce.

Their differences were on stark display on Friday.

"The president was very clear that the US would continue to support Israel and to assist Israel to defend itself, so I don't think that's going to change," Varadkar said after their Oval Office meeting.

"But I think none of us like to see American weapons being used in the way they are. The way they're being used at the moment........

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