Ireland's Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris has welcomed the decision announced by Australia, Canada, and the UK on Sunday, September 21, to formally recognize the State of Palestine.
The decision comes more than a year after Ireland, in concert with Spain and Norway, formally recognized the State of Palestine.
Welcoming Sunday's announcement, the Tánaiste noted that there are now over 150 countries that recognize Palestinian statehood.
He added that a number of other countries are expected to make similar announcements in support of Palestinian statehood on Monday in New York ahead of the UN General Assembly.
While Portugal also moved to recognize Palestine on Sunday, CNN has reported that France, Luxembourg, Malta, and San Marino are also set to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly this week.
The decisions of the UK, Canada and Australia to recognise the State of Palestine are very welcome.
Their announcement today means there are now over 150 countries, including Ireland which took the decision to do so last year, who recognise Palestinian statehood. pic.twitter.com/98UiDM7mU3
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) September 21, 2025
"Recognition upholds the principle that Palestine should be able to vindicate the full rights of a state – including self-determination, self-governance, territorial integrity and security – as well as recognise its own obligations under international law," the Tánaiste said in a statement on Sunday.
He said the joint announcement "is also a recognition of the intolerable humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza and the need to inject fresh impetus into bringing about a just, lasting peace where Israelis and Palestinians live side by side, in two states, Israel and Palestine, in peace, security and dignity."
He continued: "We need to see a ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and humanitarian access at scale into Gaza.
"This conflict has gone on for too long, at an unbearable cost in death and human suffering. A different future is possible. So we now need a political pathway, to achieve a lasting peace, and silence the guns for ever.
"We will continue to do all in our power to work for that peace."
On Sunday, the Tánaiste met with counterparts at the International Peace Institute to specifically discuss the announcements from the UK, Canada, and Australia.
He added that he is looking forward to engaging with colleagues at the UN General Assembly.
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