When the Irish government announced formal recognition of an independent Palestinian state on Wednesday, it cited the struggle for statehood and the violence surrounding it.
“We know from our own history what that means. Recognition is an act with strong political and symbolic value,” Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris told a news conference. .
Harris was nodding to the Republic of Ireland’s search for autonomy in the early 20th century after hundreds of years of British rule. He detailed how on January 21, 1919, Ireland asked the world to recognize its right to independence.
“Our message to the free nations of the world was to emphasize our distinct national identity, our historic struggle, our right to self-determination and justice, and to plead for international recognition of our independence.” he said. “Today, we use the same words to support recognition of Palestine as a state.”
The Irish government blamed Hamas after it led an attack on Israel on October 7 that Irish officials said killed about 1,200 people. And since the start of the conflict in Gaza, Gazan authorities have harshly condemned Israeli attacks that they say have killed more than 35,000 people.
Mr Harris stressed that Ireland’s announcement, which came on the same day as similar moves by Spain and Norway, was not intended to worsen relations between Ireland and Israel. Rather, he said, it recognizes that Israel and a Palestinian state have an equal right to exist.
“I would love to know that after all these years, Ireland has spoken out and spoken out in favor of peace,” he added.
The Republic of Ireland has a deep history of support for the Palestinian people and their efforts to establish an independent state, and Wednesday’s announcement drew support across political lines and even within the country’s coalition government.
Even on the small island of Ireland, which consists of the independent Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, which remained part of the United Kingdom, there is a seemingly intractable situation between Catholic nationalists who support independence and a majority of Protestant trade unionists who support the Union. We experienced sectarian conflicts that were thought to exist. Along with England.
The conflict, which became known as the “Troubles” for decades, was characterized by thousands of lives lost in bombings, gunfire and clashes with the military and police, and began in 1998. It ended with the Good Friday Agreement of 2017.
“Ireland has for decades recognized the State of Israel and its right to exist in peace and security,” Mr Harris said. “We had hoped to recognize Palestine as part of a two-state peace agreement, but instead we are recognizing Palestine to keep the hope of a two-state solution alive.”
Mr Harris also cited Ireland’s history in distinguishing between Hamas terrorism and the broader Palestinian population.
Asked whether recognition of a Palestinian state would empower Hamas, Mr Harris said: ‘Hamas is not the Palestinian people. And here in Ireland, more than in most countries in the world, we are more concerned about how terrorist organizations can claim your identity. I know what it’s like when you try to take over.” And I’m trying to speak for you. ”
This was an apparent reference to deadly terrorist attacks carried out by paramilitary groups in Ireland and the British Isles decades ago, often in the name of Irish independence.
“Palestine is made up of people, good people. So is Israel,” he said, adding: “I think right-thinking people around the world can distinguish between terrorist acts and good people in a nation.” he added.
