On May 28, 2024, Ireland officially recognized the state of Palestine, a move that has deepened the divide within the EU over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Ireland joined Norway and Spain in this decision, marking a significant shift in European diplomatic relations.
Irish Premier Simon Harris emphasized that recognizing Palestine is an important step toward a two-state solution and called on the EU to take stronger actions, including potential sanctions against Israel. The move also includes upgrading the Palestinian Mission in Ireland to an embassy, and reciprocally, Ireland's representative office in Ramallah will also be elevated to embassy status.
This recognition has been met with mixed reactions. While Palestinian officials and their supporters hailed the decision, Israel strongly condemned it. Israeli Ambassador to Ireland, Dana Erlich, expressed concerns over its potential adverse effects on Israeli investments in Ireland’s IT sector. The Israeli Foreign Minister issued a formal protest to the ambassadors of Ireland, Spain, and Norway.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo criticized the gesture, warning that such symbolic moves might not contribute effectively to political progress. Other EU nations, including France, Germany, and Italy, deemed the recognition premature and called for it to be part of a comprehensive peace agreement.
Simultaneously, the situation in Gaza has escalated, with Israel launching extensive military operations into Rafah. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged a deadly strike in Rafah that killed 45 Palestinians as a "tragic mistake" but asserted that military operations would continue.
The UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting to address the crisis, amid growing international criticism of Israel's offensive. More than 1 million Palestinians have fled Rafah since early May, with the region facing severe shortages of basic necessities due to the ongoing conflict and blockade.
Ireland's Deputy Premier Micheal Martin expects that more EU countries will follow Ireland's example in recognizing Palestine, arguing that the move supports peace and Palestinian state-building. The Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland, Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, welcomed this development, calling it a hopeful and timely recognition.