Govt leaders brief Cabinet on Palestine recognition

The Cabinet has been briefed on Ireland’s impending recognition of the State of Palestine by Taoiseach Simon Harris, Tánaiste Micheál Martin and Minister for Environment Eamon Ryan.

It is understood the discussions centred on the practicalities of what recognition means rather than the date on when it will happen.

A Government spokesman said there was ongoing liaison and coordination between several EU capitals on the issue including Madrid.

Taoiseach Simon Harris said on Sunday that the decision would be taken “before the end of the month” but the Government spokesperson said today that there was no update on the date of recognition.

It was understood that Ireland, Spain and a number of other EU member states were considering jointly recognising the State of Palestine today.

In a statement jointly signed on 22 March, former taoiseach Leo Varadkar and his Spanish, Maltese and Slovenian counterparts said they had discussed their “readiness to recognise Palestine and said that we would do so when it can make a positive contribution and the circumstances are right”.

Currently, eight EU member states recognise the State of Palestine, the most recent being Sweden in 2014.

Last Friday, President of Israel Isaac Herzog warned Simon Harris that unilateral recognition of Palestine could jeopardise any hope of Hamas releasing the hostages it continues to hold in Gaza and encourage further attacks on Israel.

However, the Taoiseach contended that Ireland’s plan to recognise the State of Palestine before the end of the month was not unilateral and said: “Ireland is working with a number of like-minded countries in relation to this.

When asked if the Irish move could lead to a break in diplomatic relations with Israel, Mr Harris said: “Certainly Ireland doesn’t wish to sever diplomatic relations. You can strongly disagree with a country. You can differentiate between the government of a country and the people of a country.”

He repeated that Ireland’s position on Gaza is “very straightforward and very consistent and said: “We need to see an immediate cessation of violence, we need to see unimpeded and unhindered access to humanitarian aid because there is a humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in front of our eyes”.

Mr Harris added: “We need to see a two-state solution. In order to see a two-state solution and to help bring one about you have to recognise the very existence of two states. In the coming days Ireland intends to do just that.”