Ireland's Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris has marked the one-year anniversary since Ireland, along with Spain and Norway, formally recognized the State of Palestine on May 28, 2024.
"A year ago today [Wednesday, 28 May] Ireland announced, alongside Spain and Norway, that we would recognise the State of Palestine," the Tánaiste, who was Taoiseach at the time of the recognition last year, said in a statement today.
"We did this in line with our view that it is time for Palestine to take its full place amongst the nations of the world.
"We took the decision as an expression of hope, based on our conviction that the only just and sustainable peaceful solution, for both Palestinians and Israelis, is the implementation of a two-State solution.
"Hope is something that we must continue to carry for both Palestinians and Israelis. For those suffering barely imaginable horrors in Gaza. For those living under a long occupation in the West Bank. For the families of hostages anxiously awaiting their return. It is our responsibility to carry this hope for those who are bearing impossible burdens."
The Tánaiste continued: "We need to see an immediate end to hostilities, the release of remaining hostages, and humanitarian access at scale into and throughout Gaza.
"We also need a political pathway towards a lasting solution to this terrible conflict, that has endured far too long, at too high a price in human suffering, for Palestinians and for Israelis.
"Ireland has been willing to speak out throughout this conflict, and we have also been willing to take action. Our recognition of Palestine was a concrete step, taken along with trusted international partners. Since then, we have been working closely with Arab and Gulf partners, as well as partners in Europe and beyond.
"The international community will come together next month in New York for a High Level Conference at the UN on implementation of the Two-State Solution. This Conference can be an important catalyst, a moment when countries come together to say, once and for all, that the violence must stop. That we must implement the two-State solution as the only way to a just and lasting peace.
"Recognition of Palestine can be part of the solution. We were glad to see Slovenia recognise Palestine shortly after Ireland, Spain, and Norway. I welcome Malta’s announcement that it will recognise Palestine at the June Conference. I urge other countries to consider taking this important step. I also encourage states who have not done so to recognise Israel.
"Ireland has been invited by the Conference Co-Chairs, France and Saudi Arabia, to co-chair one of the eight working groups, together with Türkiye, at next month’s UN Conference. This will be a focus of our international work in the coming weeks.
"At home, the Government has agreed to advance legislation prohibiting trade in goods with illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory. Work on this will be taken forward in the coming weeks. I encourage other countries to consider similar steps, such is the gravity of the situation.
"We will also continue to work at the EU level. Ireland led the way, together with Spain, on the proposal to review Israel’s compliance with the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Last week, a clear majority of Member States agreed on the need for this review.
"There is an alternative to the current cycle of violence. Ireland will continue to do everything in our power to achieve the goal of a just and lasting peace."
Also marking the anniversary, the Embassy of the State of Palestine to Ireland said "Ireland's actions are inspiring international action in the face of genocide."
A year ago today Ireland recognised the State of Palestine
The path to peace requires this courage and more to ensure a sustainable peace
Ireland's actions are inspiring international action in the face of genocide 🇵🇸🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/daOg4NyNPN
— Embassy of the State of Palestine to Ireland (@IrePalestine) May 28, 2025
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