Séamas O'Reilly: Israel long ago realised attempting to defend their actions is unnecessary

"...there have been enough distinct massacres that they now bear shorthand names to be more easily distinguished from each other; the flour massacre, the Jabalia massacre, the Al-Shifa massacre, to name but three..."

The flag of Palestine flying outside Leinster House, Dublin, following the decision by the Government to formally recognise the state of Palestine.

Last week, along with Norway and Spain, Ireland recognised the state of Palestine. 

This was a welcome, if small, step toward greater solidarity with the Palestinian people and, in a global sense, an uncontroversial one.