The Middle East Director of the International Communities Organisation has called on Ireland to recognise the state of Palestine.
Last month, Ireland – along with Spain, Malta and Slovenia – said it stands ready to recognise the state when the “circumstances are right”.
Gershon Baskin, a former peace negotiator, said Ireland was known for its support for Palestine.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, he called on Ireland to help make a two-state solution a reality.
“Ireland is one of the countries best known for their strong support for Palestine,” Mr Baskin said.
“Thirty years after the peace process began, why hasn’t Ireland yet recognised the state of Palestine? If Ireland supports a two-state solution, why not help us to make it real?
“Remove the veto on Palestinian statehood from Israel,” Mr Baskin added.
In a statement in March, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and the prime ministers of Malta, Slovenia and Spain said they would move to recognise Palestine when it can make a positive contribution.
“We 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,” the statement said.
Speaking after the joint statement, Palestinian ambassador to Ireland Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid welcomed the statement, describing it as “promising news”.
She said it might only be a few EU countries, but that Ireland is “leading” the way and she expressed thanks for “all the Irish efforts”.
US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will speak later today. It will be their first call since an Israeli strike killed seven aid workers in Gaza.
