UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS
By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal
LONDON (AA) – Ireland on Wednesday officially recognized the Palestinian state, Prime Minister Simon Harris announced at a Dublin press conference.
Harris said the decision was taken last month and he had confirmed that Ireland would take this step alongside Spain.
“Today, Ireland, Norway and Spain are announcing that we recognize the state of Palestine," he said, adding: “Each of us will now undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision."
Harris said he has “spoken with a number of other leaders and counterparts and I'm confident that further countries will join us in taking this important step in the coming weeks.”
“This is a historic and important day for Ireland and for Palestine,” he said.
The prime minister said Ireland’s message to the free nations of the world in their own independence in 1919 “was a plea for international recognition of our independence emphasising our distinct national identity, our historical struggle, and our rights to self-determination, and justice.”
“Today, we use the same language to support the recognition of Palestine as a state,” he added.
Harris said: “We do so because we believe in freedom and justice as the fundamental principles of international law and the cause we believe that permanent peace can only be secured upon the basis of the free will, of a free people.
“… From our own history, we know what it means.
“Recognition is an act of powerful political and symbolic value. It is an expression of our view that Palestine holds and should be able to vindicate the full rights of a state including self-determination, self-governance, territorial integrity and security, as well as recognising Palestine its own obligations under international law.”
- Two-state solution
The recognition of Palestine “is a further recognition of the legitimate right to statehood,” Harris said, adding that “it is a statement of unequivocal support for a two-state solution, the only credible path to peace and security for Israel, for Palestine and for their peoples."
“We have previously said that recognition is a step we would ideally have taken as part of the process towards that goal.
“Our decision to recognize Palestine should not have to wait indefinitely, especially when it is the right thing to do.
“It is a decision being taken on its merits,” he added.
- Unimaginable humanitarian catastrophe
The Irish leader said “we cannot ignore the fact that we are taking it as Palestinians in Gaza are enjoying the most appalling suffering hardship and starvation or humanitarian catastrophe unimaginable, to most and unconscionable to all is unfolding in real time.” He was referring to the war that has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians since last October, led to mass destruction and displacement, and conditions of famine.
“How can anyone justify children going to sleep at night, not knowing if they will wake up?,” Harris asked.
He said Ireland was “taking a significant political step,” and “there will be reaction, there will be interpretations of its implications. But let us not lose sight of this fundamental truth. Children are innocent. The children of Israel, the children of Palestine, they deserve peace. It is long past time for a ceasefire for the unconditional release of hostages for unhindered access for humanitarian aid. There should be no further military incursion into Rafah, there should be no more Hamas or Hezbollah rockets fired at Israel, civilians on all sides, a dead end.
“The only pathway to peace is political.” Israel has already recalled its ambassadors from Norway and Ireland for consulations in light of the decision.
Harris said the people of Palestine “deserve a future filled with hope, a future defined by success instead of suffering a future of peace.”
“The people of Israel deserve the exact same thing to the people of Israel,” he added, urging the return of hostages held by Hamas.
He said: “But let me also be clear, Hamas is not the Palestinian people. Today's decision to recognize Palestine is taken to help create a peaceful future.
“A two-state solution is the only way out of the generational cycles of violence, retaliation and resentment ... .”
- Peace in respect, justice, security and dignity
“Just as Ireland's recognition as a state eventually led to the establishment of our now peaceful Republic. We believe that Palestinian statehood will contribute to peace and reconciliation in the Middle East," he said.
“A peace that honors the legitimate aspirations of all people in the region to live with respect, justice, security and dignity, free from violence or the threat of violence.”
“We want to reaffirm our beliefs that peace is possible that justice is achievable and that recognition of both states, Palestine and Israel is the cornerstone upon which this peace must be built,” the Irish premier said.
“So, today we're saying we recognize the state of Israel," he said. “We recognize its right to exist in peace and security within internationally agreed borders. We equally recognize the state of Palestine, and its right to exist in peace and security within internationally agreed borders.”
Thanking “our international partners in Norway and Spain and another like-minded countries for their close and continued cooperation,” Harris said he looked forward “to continuing to work with them on our shared objective of delivering long overdue peace and prosperity to the people of Israel and Palestine, and the wider Middle East.”
“Ireland will always stand with those who are ready to walk a political pathway to peace, and we will do everything in our power to help to bring it about," he said.
“That's what today's decision is about. We take it to offer hope and encouragement to the people of Palestine at one of their darkest hours.
“We in Ireland see you, we recognize you, we respect you. We will continue to work so that you and your children and your children's children can have the better future you deserve. So that one day, Palestinian children and Israeli children can live side by side in peace and security.”
The official recognition by the three nations of an independent Palestinian state will take effect on May 28.