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Israelis furious over Irish upgrade for Palestinian envoy

CATHY HAYES,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Thursday, January 27, 2011, 5:52 AM

Updated Thursday, January 27, 2011, 5:52 AM

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Yigal Palmor

Ireland has upgraded the status of the Palestinian delegation to Ireland to that of “mission.” This means its head is the equivalent of an ambassador.

But the Israeli government is accusing Ireland of a long-term “bias” in the Middle East.

The “Jerusalem Post” reported that the upgrade means the head of the delegation, Dr. Hikmat Ajjuri, now officially holds the title of “ambassador-head of mission.” He is now entitled to present his credentials to President Mary McAleese.

It was previously thought that Ireland would offer official recognition to Palestine as a state. However, the move to upgrade the delegation has been slammed by the Israeli foreign ministry.

Spokesperson for the ministry, Yigal Palmor, said Israel regretted Ireland’s decision but was not surprised.

He said, “It is in line with Ireland’s longtime biased policy in the Middle East.”

Another foreign ministry official spoke to “The Irish Times.” He said Ireland had long been considered “the most anti-Israel member state of the European Union…Foreign Minister (Micheal) Martin was probably eager to push this through given the likelihood that there will soon be a change of government in Ireland.”

It is expected that a number of EU nations will now follow suit.

AFP has reported that the move was hailed by the Palestinians as “excellent progress.” Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki said that Ireland’s move would bolster European support for a resumption of the peace talks that collapsed last year.

Nster.com

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BitinDawg | Jan 30, 2011, 07:13 PM EST

They came from a part of the Country up toward the North, kind of a corner over on the West side of the Country. BitinDawg@GMail.Com

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BitinDawg | Jan 30, 2011, 07:10 PM EST

My Irish blood is proud of the old country, as Uncle Buddy called it. Robert Allen Elliott born 1830 and his brother William born 1832 left Liverpool on the ship John Hamilton on 22 May 1850 for New York.

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GeorgeDillon | Jan 28, 2011, 12:26 PM EST

I guess the Israelis are so angry that they'll retaliate by forging Irish passports and using them to murder people. Oops! -- They did that already--Guess they'll need another plan!

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sirpeter | Jan 27, 2011, 07:26 PM EST

Israelis to disgusting a people to even comment on them

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seanomelbourne | Jan 27, 2011, 06:21 PM EST

Most countries in the world now recognise An Independent Palestine giving them "mission "or "consular" status. The latest Wikileak papers now prove that Israel has no interest in talking peace with her neighbours. Time for the U.S. to use its position and tell the terrorist (hide behind children)Israeli state to go back to its pre 1967 borders.

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mairdemalone | Jan 27, 2011, 02:31 PM EST

People of Israel and Palestine should join forces and build a two state country, one where the only rule of law is the Golden Rule: Do onto others as you would have done unto you. Or... the else have extremely wealthy Arabs from other parts of the Middle East and the diaspora help to buy the Jews out, or have the extremely wealthy Jews from New York and the diaspora buy the Arabs out. The Jewish Post is always read to label others as anti-Israel, but cannot stand it when they are taken to task and rightly labeled as bigot! -And in case I am labeled, paste: Human Being, Atheist, Daughter or Rachel, and one voice crying out: HOPE, REASON, TRUTH, and most of all EMPATHY!!!

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Dublinjas | Jan 27, 2011, 11:26 AM EST

If you want to see how much land the Palestinians have lost Google: "Palestinian loss of land 1946 - 2000". It is truly shocking

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Dublinjas | Jan 27, 2011, 11:05 AM EST

Who could forget the Palestinian family sitting on the beach , having a picnic, when an Israeli Naval Vessel sent an artillery shell into their midst, wiping eight of them, actually all but one child who lost her legs. The Israeli's do this all the time, Tank shell, Rocket from chopper or whatever, They treat the Palestinians like Trash, Well done Michael Martin if it was you who granted this status to the Palestinians. VIVA Palestine. Israeli's are Yellow dogs who take Tanks and Black Hawk Choppers to kill unarmed women and children. 1400 Civilians Murdered in Gaza in the last illegal incursion. Ireland Biased...How dare you.. you murdering lying scumbags. Ireland is about the only European country with the balls to stand up to you Murders, That's what your problem is.

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Ray1Gordon | Jan 27, 2011, 09:41 AM EST

I applaud Ireland's decision to upgrade the Palestinian status. Israel has been brutally occupying and oppressing the Palestinians for over 40 years, stealing their land and water, demolishing their homes and trees, assassinating their leaders, engaging in mass arrests, using hundreds of road blocks and check points to make Palestinian life unbearable. Israel is a thugocracy, pretending to be a democracy.

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antoman | Jan 27, 2011, 07:41 AM EST

Check to see if your passport is where you left it.You might be abroad doing murder and not even know it.

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antoman | Jan 27, 2011, 07:17 AM EST

Rachel Corrie(an American hero)stood before am armoured Israeli bulldozer like John Wayne.Grabbing the blade of the bulldozer with her bare hands to push it back.Sadly the heartless driver floored it and ran her over.For a country that has the bomb its disconcerting to see how casually Isreal regards human life.Perhaps in the few square miles of Palestine where there's no where to run and hide,,life is measured by the calibre of the weapon that killed you.

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