Latest
IT'S STATED
Irish ambassador summoned to watch horror video in dramatic Israel response after Ireland recognises Palestinian state
We have broken down the most commonly asked questions below
THE Irish ambassador to Israel was summoned to watch a sick video of Hamas terrorists kidnapping young girls in response to Ireland’s decision to officially recognise the state of Palestine.
Foreign Minister Israel Kats claimed Ireland was telling the world that “terrorism pays” however, Taoiseach Simon Harris blasted back that Hamas was not Palestine as he claimed: “Ireland knows what it’s like when a terrorist organisation seeks to hijack your identity and seeks to speak for you.”
5
5
Ireland teamed up with Norway and Spain to announce on the same day that they were officially recognising the state of Palestine as they push for a two-state solution to bring peace to the Middle East.
However, the announcement sparked a furious reaction from Benjamin Netanyahu’s government in Israel who immediately withdrew their ambassadors from the three countries.
Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused Ireland of endangering his country’s security as he claimed our government were signalling that Hamas’ October 7th attack has paid off.
He said: “After the Hamas terror organisation carried out the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, after committing heinous sexual crimes witnessed by the world, these countries chose to reward Hamas and Iran by recognising a Palestinian state.”
READ MORE IRISH NEWS
He added: “The Irish Norwegian folly does not deter us; we are determined to achieve our goals: restoring security to our citizens, dismantling Hamas and bringing the hostages home.”
At a press conference this morning, the Taoiseach hit back at the claims of the Israeli Foreign Minister and referenced the IRA’s long campaign of terror against the UK.
He said: “Hamas is not the Palestinian people. Here in Ireland better than most countries in the world, we know what it’s like when a terrorist organisation seeks to hijack your identity and seeks to speak for you.
“Palestine are the children today who went to bed starving who we hope wake up today – many of whom won’t wake up if there is further military incursion into Rafah in the days ahead.
MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN
“Palestine is made up of people – decent people and so is Israel and we need to be able to differentiate and we are able to differentiate and I think right thinking people around the world are able to differentiate between the action of terrorists and the decent people of a State.”
He labelled Hamas an “illegal disgusting terrorist organisation” and said that recognising the state of Palestine sends a message that there is a viable alternative to Hamas.
Foreign Minister Kats later summoned Ireland’s Ambassador to Israel Sonya McGuiness to watch sick footage of Hamas terrorists kidnapping children and burning infants as he told the Taoiseach: “Look into the eyes of our daughters.”
Alongside photos of children tied up, Minister Kats said: “I issued a severe Démarche for the ambassadors of Spain, Ireland and Norway in Israel following their governments’ decision to award a gold medal to Hamas terrorists who kidnapped our daughters and burned infants.
“During the Démarche, the ambassadors will watch a video of the brutal and cruel kidnapping of our daughters by Hamas terrorists, to emphasize the distorted decision their governments have made.”
Tagging the Taoiseach in the post on social media, the Israeli Minister said: “Look into the eyes of our daughters.”
Tanaiste Michael Martin hit back at claims that Ireland’s move was “virtue signalling” or anything to do with the upcoming elections as he pointed out that the plan to recognise Palestine was included in the Programme for Government four years ago.
The Fianna Fail leader has spent the last few months meeting with other foreign leaders in a bid to build support for the recognition of Palestine.
On Tuesday night, he spoke with the Prime Minister of Palestine who expressed his gratitude for Ireland officially recognising his country.
Other countries are also expected to make similar announcements in the coming weeks.
Why is Ireland recognising Palestine?
THE Government believes that permanent peace can be achieved in the Middle East by pursuing a two State solution that recognises Israel and Palestine on equal footing as two independent countries.
There is strong public support for the recognition of Palestine and Ireland wants the people of Palestine to have the free will to govern themselves independently.
What are we recognising and has it got anything to do with Hamas?
Ireland is recognising Palestine based on the 1967 borders with Jerusalem acting as the capital of both Palestine and Israel.
The Government is recognising the State of Palestine – this has nothing to do with recognising the government of the day there.
The Taoiseach labelled Hamas – who run parts of Palestine – as a “disgusting terrorist organisation” and Ireland supports sanctions against Hamas.
Will it change anything?
The recognition of Palestine is largely political and symbolic, however there will be some tangible changes.
For example, Palestine’s mission in Ireland will now become an official Embassy and their head here Wahba Abdalmajid will become an ambassador.
Ireland’s mission in Ramallah, Palestine will also become an official embassy with a full ambassador.
What does it mean for Irish people in Israel including our soldiers?
The Israel reaction to temporarily withdraw their ambassador from Ireland was expected by officials here – as was the reprimand of our own ambassador.
Officials within the Department of Foreign Affairs believe there is no sign that the decision will impact Irish people in Israel.
Ireland has a small number of soldiers based in Israel on UN duty but they are there representing the United Nations and not Ireland so there should be no impact on them.
Harris said he is "confident" that other countries will join Ireland, Spain and Norway in taking the step to recognise the Palestinian state, adding that "it is the right thing to do".
The Taoiseach said: "Palestinians in Gaza are enduring the most appalling suffering, hardship and starvation.
"How can anyone justify children going to sleep at night, not knowing if they will wake up?
"Civilians on all sides must be protected by international humanitarian law ... The only pathway to peace is political."
Reacting to Ireland’s move to recognise the state of Palestine, Oxfam Ireland CEO Jim Clarken said Ireland is "showing real and brave leadership on the international stage".
He added that the move "strongly reinforces our commitment to a two-state solution" and said: "Ireland is demonstrating solidarity with the Palestinian people in the strongest political terms and the clock cannot now be turned back.
“Today’s move by Ireland and its allies should encourage other countries and the EU to join an unstoppable march to allow Palestine to take its rightful place as full, unquestioned members of the countries of the world.
'VERY LITTLE LEFT OF PALESTINE TO RECOGNISE
Trócaire’s CEO said the recognition comes at a time when there is "very little left of Palestine to recognise".
Caoimhe de Barra said: “Recognition of the State of Palestine by Ireland is very welcome. Ireland, Norway and Spain now join with the 143 member states of the United Nations, out of 193 in total, that recognise the State of Palestine.
"Recognising the State of Palestine is important because it affirms the right of Palestinians to self-determination in a sovereign Palestinian state. It strongly signals support for a two-state solution and for a more equal playing field between Israel and Palestine in future negotiations.”
But she warned that it will "only serve as a symbolic gesture" unless it is accompanied by decisive action by Ireland and other member states.
Ms de Barra continued: "The welcome announcement by Ireland, along with other states, that it will formally recognise the State of Palestine comes at a time where there is very little left of Palestine to recognise.
"As a result, today the fulfilment of this right for Palestinians has never seemed further away, let alone the possibility of a sovereign Palestinian state.”
“We know right now that the people of Gaza are starving and that UN agencies have regrettably had to halt aid operations in Rafah. Ireland stood by UNRWA in its hour of need. We need now to leverage today’s move to press for urgent life-saving aid to get to the people of Gaza.
“Oxfam has been operating in Palestine since the 1950s. We have managed to get humanitarian assistance to 335,906 people in Gaza, through local partners, since current hostilities began.
"Our focus must remain on the Gazans who struggle every hour to survive."
He added: "Today I can truly say that we in Oxfam Ireland are proud of the leadership of the Irish government.
“We call on Ireland to maintain this momentum and to push for unhindered access for all humanitarian organisations into Gaza. There is no time to lose”.
5
5
5