Ireland announces plans to recognise Palestine

Ireland has joined with Spain and Norway in recognising the state of Palestine.

In an early morning press conference in Dublin, the three coalition leaders outlined their reasoning for recognising the Middle Eastern state.

Taoiseach Simon Harris said “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.”

“Today Ireland, Norway and Spain are announcing that we recognise the state of Palestine, each of us will undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision.”

“I am confident that further countries will join us in taking this important step in the coming weeks.”

Ireland’s foreign policy, regardless of who is in power, has been to advocate for a two-state solution.

In recent weeks, Taoiseach Simon Harris has formed a fast friendship with socialist Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, with Sanchez becoming the most prominent European head of state to call for the recognition of the Palestinian nation.

In response to the move, Israel has recalled its ambassador to Ireland Dana Ehrlich.

Israel’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Israel Katz stated “today’s decision sends a message to the Palestinians and the world: Terrorism pays.”

“After the Hamas terror organization carried out the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, after committing heinous sexual crimes witnessed by the world, these countries chose to reward Hamas and Iran by recognising a Palestinian state.”

Tánaiste Micheál Martin stated, “it is important that this is not represented as a hostile act against the State of Israel; we unequivocally support its right to exist, and condemn without equivocation the attacks of October 7th.”

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said, “whether that be a car bomb on the streets of Omagh or Jerusalem, be that a rocket landing in Tel Aviv, or no warning blasts in a Birmingham pub, whether it’s an assault on a kibbutz or a bomb dropped by a jet fighter on a refugee camp or a hospital, it is all wrong.”

Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews said “today’s decision by Ireland, Norway and Spain to recognise the State of Palestine sends a powerful message: It is time that Palestine takes its full place amongst the nations of the world; that its right to self-determination, self-governance and territorial integrity and sovereignty must now be vindicated.”

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said “Ireland’s recognition of Palestine is a welcome and historic step. Thanks go to those who have mobilised in Ireland to demand an end to the genocide and put pressure on the government. It must now be matched with sanctions against Israel.”

Responding to Israel recalling their ambassador, he said “please don’t come back.”