Ireland, Spain and Norway recognise state of Palestine

Taoiseach Simon Harris announced that Ireland, Spain and Norway are set to recognise the state of Palestine.

Speaking outside Government buildings this morning, Mr Harris said the step is a further recognition of the right to statehood and of unequivocal support for a two state solution.

Mr Harris expressed confidence that other countries will join them in the move to recognise Palestinian statehood.

He said that Ireland recognises the state of Israel and Palestine and that Ireland will “always stand with those who are ready to walk on a political pathway to peace”.

He said a two state solution is the only way forward and that Ireland recognises Israel and Palestine under internationally recognised borders.

He wished to send “hope and encouragement” to the Palestinian people in their “darkest hours”.

“One day Palestinian children and Israeli children can live side by side in peace and security,” he said.

Tánaiste Michael Martin said that Israeli and Palestinian citizens alike are a valued and cherished part of Irish society.

“I challenge and reject anyone who would seek to delegitimise either history, culture or beliefs,” he said.

“In recognising the state of Palestine we also unambiguously reject those in Palestine and in Israel who call for the entirety of the land between the Mediterranean Sea and the River Jordan to be a mono-ethnic state based either on forcible exile or subjugation.”

“A new pathway is needed,” he said, explaining that a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders with the state of Israel and Palestine living “side by side in peace and security and mutual recognition” can achieve this.

“A solution that would bring to an end the fifty-seven year Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory,” he said.

“Today we make clear to the Palestinian people that our relationship with you is one of two equal states.”

“Recognition of Palestine is not the end of a process, it is the beginning.”

He said the government will "continue to work tirelessly on the immediate priority of securing a ceasefire in Gaza, the unconditional release of hostages and full safe and unhindered humanitarian access.”

“There is a long road ahead, and today Ireland says unambiguously that this road must be walked by Israeli and Palestinians on the basis of an equal right to sovereignty, dignity and peace.”

Yesterday morning, coalition leaders briefed the cabinet on the technicalities of what the decision to recognise the state of Palestine means.

Israel’s foreign ministry posted a video last night in which it claimed that the decision to recognise Palestine, outside of an over-arching regional peace deal, will encourage terrorism.