Ireland's recognition of Palestine could take place this month
The To Palestine Leaders Simon On Other Conversations Recognising Harris Ahead Hours European Intends With In Have
The Government has a “clear plan” for the recognition of Palestine with other EU countries, Taoiseach Simon Harris has said.
The Taoiseach said that recognising Palestine would be the right thing to do.
However, it is expected that a formal recognition, with other like-minded EU countries like Spain, could take place as early as May 21.
While Mr Harris declined to comment on the timeline, saying that there was an agreement with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez not to put a date into the public domain.
“Myself and Prime Minister Sanchez have a clear plan in relation to this,” Mr Harris said, adding that the two are in regular contact on the matter.
“There is never a wrong time to do the right thing and the right thing to do right now is to recognise the State of Palestine,” the Taoiseach said.
“Why do we do that? We do that because we must keep the hope and the destination of a two-state solution firmly to the fore.
“That is how you resolve this conflict in the Middle East, that is how you bring stability to the region. You cannot say you believe in a two-state solution and not recognise there are two States.”
Mr Harris intends to have conversations with other European leaders on recognising Palestine in the hours ahead.
He added that Ireland should show leadership on the recognition of Palestine, while Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said it was important to use “our voice to influence other countries”.
Last night, Tánaiste Micheál Martin informed a private Green Party meeting of the Government’s intention to recognise Palestine in the coming weeks.
He also spoke about plans to intervene in the South African genocide case, when the country files its substantive case — which is expected to happen in October.