Ireland will officially recognise Palestine as an independent state.
Taoiseach Simon Harris announced the move this morning at Government Buildings, with it taking effect from the 28th of May.
Norway and Spain have announced they've made the same move today.
Simon Harris has called it "a historic day for Palestine and Ireland", comparing the importance to the recognition of the Irish state in 1919.
Today Ireland recognises the state of Palestine.
We believe that recognition will contribute to peace and reconciliation in the Middle East. pic.twitter.com/SaI2fTzECx— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) May 22, 2024
Trocaire has welcomed the news, but the charities CEO, Caoimhe De Barra has called for further actions to sanction Israel and increase the pressure to negotiate peace:
"Ireland can do this by enacting laws that insure that Irish taxpayer money is not invested in the illegally occupied Palestinian territories or in the Israeli defence companies".
Israel has recalled its ambassadors from Dublin and Oslo in protest against the decision, saying it will "not remain silent in the face of those undermining its sovereignty and endangering its security".
