Government to announce process of Ireland recognising Palestinian state

Simon Harris on Sunday said that Ireland would move on Palestinian recognition before the end of May. Picture: Larry Cummins

The Government is set to announce on Wednesday the process that will see Ireland recognise a Palestinian state.

It is understood that Taoiseach Simon Harris, along with Tánaiste Micheál Martin and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, will make the announcement on Wednesday morning about Ireland's recognition of Palestine. 

Mr Harris has previously declined to set out a single date for recognition, saying that there were practical steps which needed to be taken before such a move.

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Mr Harris on Sunday said that Ireland would move on Palestinian recognition before the end of May, and it is understood that Ireland will be acting alongside other countries, most likely including Spain.

Speaking in Longford on Sunday, Mr Harris said that he had been working with "a number of countries" on recognition and that he expected other countries to join Ireland in the weeks and months after.

'Ireland will recognise the state of Palestine shortly in order to keep the two-state peace solution alive,' said Taoiseach Simon Harris. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie

Speaking in the Dáil on Tuesday, Mr Harris reiterated the Government's desire to recognise the state of Palestine before the end of the month.

"What is happening now in Gaza is unbearable, and what could happen in Rafah is unconscionable and needs to stop," he said.

"The Irish position has been consistent on that. The Government does intend to recognise the state of Palestine this month. We obviously hope to do so with some other countries."

The Government has also rejected the idea put forward by the Israeli Foreign Ministry on Tuesday that recognition of the Palestinian State would "encourage terrorism" and would make Ireland a "pawn of Iran and Hamas". 

A Government spokesperson said: "We have been very clear. Hamas is not the Palestinian people.

"Hamas is a terrorist organisation that we utterly condemn. Ireland will recognise the state of Palestine shortly in order to keep the two-state peace solution alive.

"We continue to see a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and again call for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and for aid to flow."