In a momentous declaration made on Wednesday morning, the Taoiseach of Ireland, Simon Harris, confirmed the nation’s impending official recognition of Palestine as an independent state. The governments of Spain and Norway have also made similar affirmations, with effect from 28th May next week.
In a statement that evokes Ireland’s own journey towards sovereignty, Harris described the recognition of Palestine as a move promoting peace and Palestinians’ fundamental right to freedom, security, sovereignty, and dignity. “Today marks a significant and historic day,” announced Harris outside the Government Buildings in Dublin, emphasising the “symbolic and political” significance of the decision. He says it firmly establishes Ireland’s stand that Palestine rightfully possesses and should assert all the rights of a state, including self-governance, self-determination, territorial credibility, and safety, whilst acknowledging Palestine’s responsibility to international law.
The revelation was made alongside Deputy Prime Minister Micheál Martin and Green Party head Eamon Ryan. Martin branded the announcement as “a historic moment.”
Israel strongly opposed Harris’s declaration, stating it risks the nation’s sovereignty and security. Israeli Ambassador to Ireland, Dana Erlich, was summoned back to Israel by foreign minister Yisrael Katz in response to this matter, with Spain and Norway facing similar retaliations.
Harris drew on Ireland’s historical appeals for self-determination and independence over a century ago to extend support to Palestine’s statehood recognition, reinforcing that enduring peace could only be established on the basis of a free people’s consent. Harris added that this endorsement is a “message” to Palestinians who are fighting for peace and democracy, implying that Ireland wholly acknowledges their wish “to live freely under their own governance and lead their affairs.”
Mr Harris has rebuffed Israel’s assertions that the UK Government’s recent decision threatens its dominion and safety. He remarked, “Israel is not harmed by acknowledging Palestine as a state. We necessitate a bipartite resolution that endorses both Israel and Palestine.”
Regarding the timing of the Government’s resolution and the speculation that it was spurred by the aftermath of the attacks on October 7, Harris clarified, “Hamas does not represent the Palestinians”. He further added, “Being in Ireland gives us an unparalleled understanding of the situation when a terror group attempts to impersonate your identity and declare on your behalf.” He confirmed that individuals with sound judgment distinguish between “terrorist activities” and “the upright citizens of a nation”.
Harris conceded the preceding government’s longstanding stance to accept Palestinian statehood. In 2014, the Dáil endorsed Palestine as a state unanimously. Currently, the UN comprises 143 countries that acknowledge Palestine’s independence.
The tripartite coalition leaders were eager to stress that accepting Palestine did not imply supporting Hamas, nor was it an antagonistic gesture towards Israel, precluding any distortions of the announcement made on Wednesday morning. On the contrary, this recognition was “an unambiguous endorsement” of a two-state resolution, which Harris described as “the sole plausible route” to peace between Israelis and Palestinians. He stated that the UK honoured both Israel and Palestine on equal footing.
In a reflection, Harris revealed that peace in the Middle East, 30 years after the Oslo accords, seemed “further away than perhaps ever before”. He expressed a struggle to keep the objectives of those peace treaties alive.
The UK Prime Minister remarked that this governmental declaration was announced during a time of “dreadful suffering, deprivation, and famine” for those in Gaza, Palestine. “How can anyone justify children going to bed not knowing if they will wake up?” he posed.
Mr Martin claimed the decision was a gesture of encouraging “moderation” in Palestine. He argued, “It can be contended that Israel’s strategies, warfare, and oppression of the Palestinians have fostered extremism.”
During the course of the meeting, the trinity of leaders repeatedly urged others to facilitate a cessation of hostilities, a freeing of captives, and the unhampered delivery of humanitarian assistance within Gaza. “The protection of civilian lives either side of the conflict, under the umbrella of international humanitarian legislation, must be paramount. Hostilities and animosity only lead to a cul-de-sac”, Mr Harris affirmed.
Mr Harris dismissed as unmerited, views that the proclamation was an act of “virtue signalling” or a popularity-increasing move in anticipation of the upcoming European elections happening the next month.
The entirety of the land stretching from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan river forming a singular ethnic state established either by forced deportation or oppression was rejected by Mr Martin, highlighting Ireland’s stance on the matter. The responsibilities incumbent upon Palestinian state leadership to deliver “democracy, human rights, effective administration, and adherence to legal norms” to their populace were outlined by him.
Eamon Ryan, the leader of the Green Party, drew upon Ireland’s own history of violence during the Troubles, relating it to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. In his poignant statement, he reminded everyone that, “we were taught painfully that any attempts to achieve political objectives by resorting to violence against innocent civilians were futile and should never succeed.”