Time is coming to accept Palestine
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The people of Israel deserve a secure and peaceful future
TAOISEACH Simon Harris has said the point at which Ireland, Spain and other European countries can recognise Palestinian statehood is moving much closer.
It followed a bilateral meeting between Mr Harris and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Dublin yesterday.
He said Ireland would move with Spain and other countries “when the time is right”.
Mr Harris met Mr Sanchez at Government Buildings, the second time this week the leaders have held discussions, and said they were moving on the Palestinian question.
He said: “At last month’s meeting of the European Council, Ireland and Spain, together with Malta and Slovenia, said that we were ready to do so when the conditions are right.
“Let me this evening say our assessment is that that point is coming much closer and we would like to move together in doing so.
“The people of Palestine have long sought the dignity of their own country and sovereignty. A home that like Ireland and Spain can take its place amongst the nations of the Earth.
“When we move forward, we would like to do so with as many others as possible to lend weight to the decision and to send the strongest message.
“The people of Israel deserve a secure and peaceful future. So do the people of Palestine.
“Equal sovereignty, equal respect, in a region where people of all faiths and all traditions live together in peace.”
Mr Harris also said it was possible to condemn the Hamas attack on October 7 and call for the unconditional release of hostages, and to also want to see a two-state political
solution. This week, Israel’s ambassador to Ireland Dana Erlich claimed the Irish Government’s push to recognise Palestinian statehood is “rewarding terrorism”.
Mr Harris added: “It’s entirely possible to call out the horrors that the State of Israel suffered at the hands of Hamas whilst also saying that there must now be an immediate cessation of violence.
“The only way forward here is for a political peace process that brings about the two-state solution for which Ireland has been so long committed, as I know Spain has as well.”
When asked about Ms Erlich’s comments at the Fianna Fail Ard Fheis last night, Micheal Martin dismissed the suggestions and branded them “absurd” and “unacceptable”.
Mr Martin, in his role as Foreign Affairs Minister, told the Dail earlier this week Ireland will recognise the Palestinian State. He said:
“There are many, many countries around the world over the years [which] have recognised the Palestinian State. I think it’s an absurd and unacceptable assertion to make.
“I would also want to say to the ambassador, the ambassador was very incorrect saying that the Irish Government have not condemned Hamas itself as an organisation. We have and I have consistently condemned Hamas, the objectives of Hamas.
“I have very vociferously, which I think the ambassador did acknowledge, condemned the heinous crimes that Hamas committed on October 7. Given our own experience of 30 years of terror in Northern Ireland, the last thing Fianna Fail is doing is condoning or in any way rewarding terrorism.”
Mr Martin also said that he “believes in diplomacy and I don’t believe in expelling ambassadors”.
Fianna Fail said this week neither the Israeli Ambassador nor the Russian Ambassador, Yuri Filatov, were invited to their two-day Dublin ard fheis.
I have consistently condemned Hamas, the objectives of Hamas... MICHEAL MARTIN AT HIS PARTY’S DUBLIN ARD FHEIS