Ireland will recognise Palestine when 'the circumstances are right', says Varadkar

In a joint statement with the prime ministers of Malta, Slovenia and Spain, the Taoiseach said the countries are ready to recognise Palestinian independence

Leo Varadkar met with his fellow leaders in the margins of a European Council meeting to share views on the situation in Gaza and the Middle East. Picture: Sameer al-Doumy/AFP via Getty Images

Ireland will recognise Palestine as a state when to do so would make a "positive contribution", the Taoiseach has said.

In a joint statement with the prime ministers of Malta, Slovenia and Spain, Leo Varadkar said the countries are ready to recognise Palestinian independence.

Mr Varadkar met with his fellow leaders in the margins of a European Council meeting to share views on the situation in Gaza and the Middle East.

"We are agreed on the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of hostages and a rapid, massive and sustained increase of humanitarian aid into Gaza," the joint statement said.

"We are agreed that the only way to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region is through implementation of a two-state solution, with Israeli and Palestinian states living side-by-side, in peace and security.

"We discussed together our readiness to recognise Palestine and said that we would do so when it can make a positive contribution and the circumstances are right."

On Thursday night, the Taoiseach welcomed the move by European leaders, who agreed on the need for a humanitarian pause for the release of all hostages and admission of large volumes of food and medicine leading to a sustained ceasefire.

“It’s good that we finally have unanimous agreement at EU level on Gaza. Collectively, we condemned Hamas’s terrorist actions, called for a ceasefire, rapid access of humanitarian aid to relieve the suffering of the civilian population in Gaza, the release of hostages, an end to the expansion of illegal settlements, and a two-state solution.

“We now have a common position very much in line with the public position of the Irish Government.”