Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The announcement that Ireland will formally recognise the state of Palestine next Tuesday is an historic moment for both Ireland and Palestine. I want to commend today all those who have campaigned, marched, petitioned and stood up for international law and the reality that the only route to a lasting peace in the Middle East lies with a free, independent and sovereign Palestinian state. The state we will now officially recognise has long endured oppression, occupation and apartheid. Today, the people of Gaza face a relentless genocide. I hope that the occasion of recognition will be marked in this House with statements, the flying of the Palestinian flag and the attendance of Palestinian representatives. More than that, I expect the Government will take the next logical steps. Israel must be held to account and meaningfully sanctioned for the ongoing gross violations of international law in Gaza and across Palestine. Ireland must be a world leader not just in recognising a Palestinian state but in securing a viable free Palestine and a lasting and just peace.

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