Ireland recognizes the State of Palestine as of May 28 and speaks of a “historic day”

Harris says the move “is a message to those in Palestine who defend and work for a future of peace and democracy.”

May 22. () –

The Government of Ireland announced this Wednesday its recognition of the State of Palestine, a measure that will materialize on May 28 and that comes after weeks of coordination with Spain to convince a group of European Union (EU) countries to take this step with the aim of promoting the materialization of the two-state solution, to which Norway joined earlier in the day.

“Today, Ireland, Norway and Spain announce that we recognize the State of Palestine,” said the Prime Minister of Ireland, Simon Harris. “Each of us will now take the necessary national steps to materialize this decision,” he added during a press conference from Dublin.

Harris stressed that “it is a historic and important day for Ireland and for Palestine.” “We believe in freedom and justice as fundamental principles of International Law and we believe that permanent peace can only be achieved through the will of the population,” she stated.

“In the run-up to today’s announcement I have spoken with other leaders and counterparts and I trust that more countries will join us in taking this important step in the coming weeks,” said the Irish Prime Minister, who has drawn a parallel with the call made on January 21, 1919 by Ireland for its recognition as an independent State.

“Assuming our place on the world stage and being recognized by others as people with the right to be there was something of the utmost importance for the founders of our State. From our own history, we know what it means,” he said, time that has stressed that “Palestine must be able to count on all the rights of a State, including self-determination, governance, territorial integrity and security.”

In this sense, he stated that Ireland’s decision “is a message to those in Palestine who defend and work for a future of peace and democracy.” “We totally respect your aspirations to live in freedom, controlling your affairs and under your own leadership,” she explained.

Harris recalled that “143 of the 193 Member States of the United Nations, 80 percent of those who were present and voted, voted on May 10 in favor of determining that the Palestinian State is qualified to be a member of the UN” and has highlighted that the passage of Madrid, Dublin and Oslo “is a new recognition of this legitimate right to statehood.”

“It is unequivocal support for the two-state solution, the only credible path to peace and security for Israel, for Palestine and for its people. We have previously said that recognition is a step that would ideally be taken as part of a process towards that goal, but three decades have passed since the Oslo process and we are perhaps further away than ever from a just, sustainable and comprehensive peace agreement,” he argued.

HARRIS DEFENDS THAT “IT IS THE RIGHT THING”

“Our decision to recognize Palestine should not wait indefinitely, especially given that it is the right thing to do,” said Harris, who asked “not to ignore the fact that the step is being taken at a time when the Palestinians of Gaza needs it, a lot,” in the face of “a humanitarian catastrophe unimaginable for the majority that is developing in real time.”

For this reason, he has recognized that although the decision “will generate reactions and interpretations due to its implications”, the important thing is “not to lose sight of the fundamental truth that children are innocent.” “The children of Israel. The children of Palestine. They deserve peace. A ceasefire, an unconditional release of hostages and unrestricted access to humanitarian aid is long overdue,” she said.

“There should be no further military incursion into Rafah. There should be no more Hamas or Hezbollah rockets fired at Israel. Civilians everywhere must be protected by International Law,” stressed Harris, who reiterated that “the only way towards peace is political”. “The Palestinian people deserve a future full of hope, defined by success, not suffering. A future of peace. The people of Israel deserve exactly the same,” he added.

Thus, he has conveyed to Israel that Ireland maintains “a determined and unequivocal position in full recognition of the State of Israel and its right to exist in security.” “Ireland condemns the barbaric massacre committed by Hamas on October 7,” reiterated the Prime Minister of Ireland, who has called for the “immediate” release of all the hostages held in Gaza.

“Let it be clear. Hamas is not the people of Palestine,” he said. “Recognizing the State of Palestine sends the message that there is a viable alternative to the nihilism of Hamas, which can only offer pain and suffering to Israelis and Palestinians. 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.

“Ireland will always stand with those willing to walk a political path towards peace and we will do everything in our power to achieve this. That is what today’s decision is about. We took it to give hope and encourage the Palestinian people in one of their darkest moments,” he concluded.

For his part, the Irish Foreign Minister, Micheál Martin, has spoken of a “historic moment” and has reiterated that there can be no peace “until Israelis and Palestinians enjoy the same rights to self-determination, statehood, peace, security and dignity.” “. “The recognition of Palestine is not the end of a process, it is the beginning. We are convinced that the two-state solution remains the only viable option to achieve a just and lasting peace and a better future,” he added.

CRITICISM OF ISRAEL

The Israeli Foreign Ministry published a video on its X account on Tuesday in which it addressed Dublin directly and stressed that “recognizing the Palestinian state will lead to more terrorism, instability in the region and jeopardize any possibility of peace.”

“The possibility of recognizing a Palestinian state risks becoming a pawn in the hands of Iran and Hamas. Such a decision will only strengthen Hamas and weaken an already dysfunctional Palestinian Authority,” the ministry said, adding that “the fact that Hamas leaders thank you should be a wake-up call.”

“Your actions will only fuel extremism and instability. There can only be progress through direct negotiations in a broader regional context. Do not be pawns in the hands of Hamas. Say no to normalization,” he concluded.

Ireland’s announcement has come alongside official appearances from Spain and Norway in which they have also taken the step of recognizing the State of Palestine as of May 28, something that 146 United Nations member states have done so far, including these last three countries. Malta and Slovenia have also stated that they could take this step soon.

The decision has led the Israeli Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, to call his ambassadors in Oslo and Dublin for consultations to protest this decision. Likewise, he warned that he would also call his ambassador in Spain for consultations if Madrid takes this same step, something that has materialized with the announcement made by the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez.

Over the past month, Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and the Bahamas had taken the step of recognizing Palestine, five years after Saint Kitts and Nevis did the same. Israel has been very critical of these decisions and has refused to recognize Palestine, distancing the possibility of an agreement.