Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Perfect.

Today, 28 May 2024, is an historic day. Ireland, along with Spain and Norway, formally recognises the State of Palestine based on the 1967 borders. This brings to eight the number of European states that have done this. It has taken many years and much diplomacy and negotiation to bring us to this point. In 1980, Ireland was the first EU state to back the principle of Palestinian statehood. In 2014, as we have heard, the Dáil and Seanad passed motions calling on the Government to officially recognise the State of Palestine. Then, in 2020, a commitment was given to do this in the programme for Government agreed between the three coalition parties at the appropriate time. In recent days, the question has been asked why we do this and what is the practical effect of this policy decision. Some have said it is nothing more than a symbolic gesture. Recognition at this time, given all that has happened particularly since the brutal attacks by Hamas on 7 October, helps advance the calls for a two-state solution, whereby both Israel and Palestine can exist side by side in peace and security. It is clear that a two-state solution is the only viable option to secure the just and lasting peace in the Middle East for which we all hope. Unfortunately, this move has been criticised by the Israeli Government and, therefore, let me put a few things on the record. Recognition of the State of Palestine does not constitute antisemitism. Neither does it indicate support for Hamas, or reward terrorism or does it mean Israel does not have the right to exist. The complete opposite is the case. Finally, condemnation of the actions of the current Israeli Government in Gaza should not be interpreted as antisemitism or opposition to the Israeli state itself. Ireland's guiding principle on this issue, and on foreign policy generally, ultimately boils down to a commitment to international humanitarian law and to upholding fundamental human rights. The actions in Gaza of the current Israeli Government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.

The Israeli ambassador to Ireland, Dana Erlich, is well able to defend the policies of her government by making all sorts of threats against Ireland and testing our patience and tolerance in the process. One would have to ask at this stage: is Israel going to continue as a liberal democracy at all? The treatment of the Irish ambassador to Israel in response to the recognition announcement by the Israeli foreign ministry was disgraceful and not in keeping with the norms of a democratic state or international diplomacy. In recent years, we have witnessed the rowing back on democratic norms in Israel, as witnessed by the mass protests on the streets, which started well before the attacks on 7 October. Now we are watching the Israeli Government completely ignoring the rulings of the International Court of Justice. As we know in the context of the genocide case taken by South Africa, the ICJ ordered Israel to halt its military offensive on Gaza, among other things. The response of Israel was to launch a full-scale military operation on Rafah, which also included attacking the Rafah refugee camp.

Ireland must continue its efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, there must be a non-conditional release of the hostages and we should continue to advocate for safe and unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza. In this regard, I pay tribute to the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for the time and effort he has been putting in to resolving these issues. Ireland has led the way on these matters. I am aware the Tánaiste is engaging in talks this week with EU and Arab leaders to help advance the Arab peace vision. Now is most definitely the time for the international community to get behind these initiatives once and for all. It is welcome that yesterday EU foreign ministers, for the first time, discussed the prospects of imposing sanctions on Israel given its response or lack of it to the ICJ orders. In addition, the EU needs to support the reform plan of the Palestinian authority. It is also time, finally, for the European Commission to review the EU-Israel trade agreement having regard to its human rights clauses.

I also welcome the developments yesterday at the meeting of EU foreign ministers in this regard. As we heard from other speakers, there is much work to be done but today is an important milestone. The Palestinian flag is flying proudly in the grounds of Leinster House. Today is just a first step. We must now do all we can to bring about a just and lasting peace in this troubled part of the Middle East.

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