Ireland to recognise Palestinian state
Simon Harris says there was a need to see a two-state solution in the region
Last updated 22nd May 2024
Ireland announced today (Wednesday) that it will join Norway and Spain and 'recognise' the state of Palestine.
Taoiseach Simon Harris said the decision was taken due to Ireland's understanding of a country's fight for international recognition, and based on a belief in "permanent peace".
The decision will formally take effect on May 28.
Mr Harris said that "ideally" recognition of Palestine would have been taken as part of a peace settlement in the Middle East, but said "our decision to recognise Palestine should not have to wait indefinitely".
"Today Ireland, Norway and Spain are announcing that we recognise the state of Palestine," said Mr Harris.
"Each of us will now undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision."
Shortly before Mr Harris made the announcement outside Government Buildings in Dublin, Israel recalled its ambassador in Ireland, with its foreign affairs minister Israel Katz calling it a "distorted step".
"I'm sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the face of those undermining its sovereignty and endangering its security," Mr Katz said.
The Taoiseach said that "Israel loses nothing from the recognition of the state of Palestine" and condemned the "barbaric massacre carried out by Hamas" on October 7 last year.
"Recognising the state of Palestine sends a message that there is a viable alternative to the nihilism of Hamas. Hamas has nothing to offer but pain and suffering to Israelis and Palestinians alike," Mr Harris said.
"There is also no future in the extremist version of Zionism that fuels settler violence and illegal appropriation of land in the West Bank."
He said that Ireland understands the importance of recognition as "an act of powerful, political and symbolic value" through its own past.
"On January 21 1919, Ireland asked the world to recognise our rights to be an independent state. Our message to the free nations of the world was a plea for international recognition of our independence, emphasising our distinct national identity, our historical struggle, and our rights to self-determination and justice.
"Today, we use the same language to support the recognition of Palestine as a state."
Mr Harris called for a ceasefire, the unconditional release of hostages, unhindered access for humanitarian aid, "no further" military incursion into Rafah, and "no more Hamas or Hezbollah rockets fired at Israel".
"Civilians on all sides must be protected by international humanitarian law. Violence and hatred can only ever be a dead end. The only pathway to peace is political."
An ambition to recognise Palestinian statehood has been a cornerstone of Irish foreign policy as part of the Government's belief in a two-state solution.
"Today's decision is about the empowering of moderation within Palestine," Ireland's deputy premier and foreign affairs minister Micheal Martin said.
"It can be argued that the Israeli strategy, war and suppression of the Palestinian people, has empowered extremism, and we're moving in a different direction."
He added: "This is very much about peace."