Palestinians living in Ireland have welcomed the expected formal recognition of the Palestinian state.
Ireland, Spain and Norway are all set to recognise Palestine from today, 28 May.
Ibrahim Abu Shaban is studying computer science and lives in Blanchardstown with his family.
He was in Gaza with his grandparents a week before the Hamas attack on 7 October that triggered the war.
He described Ireland’s decision to officially recognise the state of Palestine as “probably one of the best pieces of news I’ve woken up to in the past seven or eight months”.
He added it was a “strong symbol of hope” for Palestinians like him.
“The Irish have always seen Palestine as a state, especially with the island history so they understand the pain of the Palestinians,” he said.
For Mr Abu Shaban’s family back in Gaza, he said their family group chat “popped off” once they heard the news that Ireland would officially recognise Palestine.
“It was hopeful for them aswell,” he said.
Recognition ‘should be followed up with tangible action’
Although other EU member states – Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Romania – recognise the state of Palestine, these all did so before becoming members of the bloc.
“As a Palestinian living in Ireland, a country that I love very much, it was quite emotional for for me to learn that Ireland has decided to recognize Palestine,” said Mona Sabella.
“But the emotions come from a lot of difference places,” she said.
“Given everything that’s going on right now … there needs to be leadership within Ireland,” Ms Sabella said.
“Recognition is one action and it’s welcome but it’s really a symbolic political move and it should be followed up with tangible action,” she added.
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Ms Sabella called for Israel to be sanctioned and for arms and trade embargoes to be placed on the country.
Many Palestinians have spoken about the strong sense of solidary they have felt from the people of Ireland since 7 October.
“The people of Ireland have shown incredible solidarity with the Palestinian people,” Ms Sabella said.
“They have proven that when people come together and when people unite, that governments will take action and this is a really, really important message, not only for people in Ireland. It’s an important message for people around the world.
“We need to see this continued solidarity action,” she said.
Sahar Hawamdeh is a healthcare worker who has lived in Ireland for the past three-and-a-half years, she is a Palestinian-Jordanian.
“It’s quite a historic step,” she said.
“I’m very proud to live in a country that’s willing to show such political courage amid all the intimidation amidst all the pressure. I’m so glad the government went through with it.”
As of today, there are 146 countries that recognise the state of Palestine.
However, Ms Hawamdeh said it was important to acknowledge that the recognition of Ireland, Spain and Norway comes from the “heart of the EU”.
“I think it sends a message that positions are changing now,” she said.
“I also think it would not have happened if not for all the amazing people that have been campaigning, rallying, marching the streets of Dublin and Ireland over the past months.”
Ms Hawamdeh said she wanted to see action from Ireland now.
Recognition a ‘powerful symbol’
Hana Abushaban is a risk analyst who has always lived in Ireland but considers herself Palestinian.
“Ireland’s recognition of Palestine as a state was a powerful symbol,” she told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland.
“It shows that the international community is acknowledging our struggles and supports our self-determination”.
She added: “It reinforces that our suffering is not forgotten and there is global support for our quest for peace and justice”.
Roisin El Cherif is an artist based in Co Galway. Like many Palestinians here she has never been able to travel to Palestine although she has family in Gaza.
“A lot of the Palestinians in the diaspora are not allowed to go in,” she explained.
Her family was forced to flee Gaza to Jordan “and we’re not allowed to go back … it’s not by choice”.
Ms El Cherif said she was “delighted” with the move by Ireland, Spain and Norway to officially recognise the Palestinian state from today.
“Every step to freedom is welcomed,” she said, “but it’s also not enough”.
She called for sanctions to be placed on Israel.
Ms El Cherif said: “I think Irish politics can do a lot better. There’s a lot of nice solidarity sentiment, rhetoric in Irish politics and no movement.
“I’m looking forward to Irish politicians putting their money where their mouth is and help bring an end to this genocide.
“If they don’t have the power then who does?”
