Sources have indicated that the UK government is slated to officially acknowledge the existence of Palestine on Wednesday morning. They also suggested two unidentified EU countries are set to follow suit. Leading government figures including Simon Harris, Micheál Martin, and Eamon Ryan are anticipated to broach this decision in a public conference on Wednesday at 8 am.
The Taoiseach, Simon Harris, stated on Sunday that by the end of this month, Ireland would recognise Palestine. However, he emphasised that this decision, seen as quite contentious, should not lead to a breakdown in diplomatic ties with Israel.
Harris’s statement followed a report about a diplomatic dispute arising from a phone conversation with Yitzhak Herzog, the Israeli President, during which Ireland’s intention to acknowledge Palestine was discussed. This development comes amidst continual conflict in Gaza, shortly after the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) chief prosecutor called for the arrest of Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister, and Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader in Gaza, for alleged war crimes.
Harris had previously stated that fundamental political processes and “important sequencing” needed to be adhered to before Palestine could receive formal recognition. He emphasised the need for recognition of both states to facilitate a two-state solution, indicating that Ireland intends to acknowledge this in the days ahead.
In the last month, the Taoiseach and Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s Prime Minister, pledged to garner international support for a two-state solution during bilateral talks in Dublin. Additionally, Norwegian Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, who had also met with Sánchez, stated his country’s readiness to acknowledge Palestine. However, he questioned the timing and circumstances of such recognition.