Ireland–Palestine relations
Map indicating locations of Ireland and Palestine

Ireland
Palestine
Diplomatic mission
Mission of Palestine, DublinRepresentative Office of Ireland, Ramallah

Ireland–Palestine relations are the bilateral and historical relations between the Republic of Ireland and the State of Palestine.[1] In 2000, Ireland established a representative office in Ramallah and Palestine has a representative office in Dublin.[2] Both countries are members of the Union for the Mediterranean.

History

By the late 1960s, Ireland was increasingly concerned about the fate of Palestinian refugees who fled the Six-Day War in 1967. In 1969, Irish Foreign Minister Frank Aiken described the problem as the "main and most pressing objective" of Ireland's Middle East policy.[3]

In 1980, Ireland was the first European Union member state to endorse the establishment of a Palestinian state.[4]

In 1999 Taoiseach Bertie Ahern went on a two day trip to Gaza where he met with Yasser Arafat and visited the Jabaliya refugee camp. He became the first leader of a nation to fly from Palestine to their home country.[5]

In January 2011, Ireland accorded the Palestinian delegation in Dublin diplomatic status.[6] A few months later, their Foreign Affairs Minister stated that Ireland would "lead the charge" in recognizing Palestinian statehood, but that it would not come until the PNA was in full and sole control over its territories.[7] In October 2014, the Upper House of the Irish Parliament unanimously passed a motion calling on the Government to recognize the State of Palestine.[8] In December 2014, the Lower House of Ireland's Parliament followed suit.[9]

Despite strong support for Palestine in Ireland,[4] the government has yet to implement the 2014 decision to formalise diplomatic relations between the two, although Foreign Minister Simon Coveney had previously indicated this could change.[10] Although both houses of the Irish parliament passed the motion to recognise the State of Palestine, the Government wishes to do this as part of a wider EU move, which has been criticised by Irish TDs. As of 2024, Ireland does not recognise the State of Palestine.[11]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Palestinian-Irish Relations". Archived from the original on 17 November 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  2. ↑ "Palestinian-Irish Relations - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade". www.dfa.ie. Archived from the original on 17 November 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  3. ↑ Ferriter, Diarmaid. "Time for Ireland to recognise Palestine". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 26 July 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  4. 1 2 "Why the Irish Support Palestine". Foreign Policy. Archived from the original on 22 May 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  5. ↑ Casey, Ruairi (7 June 2021). "What's behind Ireland's support for Palestine?". Al Jazeera.
  6. ↑ Jones, Ryan (26 January 2011). "Europe starts process of recognizing Palestine". Israel Today. Archived from the original on 12 November 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  7. ↑ "Gilmore 'hopes to recognise full Palestinian state'". The Journal. 22 March 2011. Archived from the original on 5 November 2022. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  8. ↑ "Senators have agreed to recognise Palestine as an independent state". The Journal. Distilled Media Ltd. 22 October 2014. Archived from the original on 22 April 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  9. ↑ Ariel, Ben (10 December 2014). "Irish Parliament Urges Government to Recognize 'Palestine'". Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  10. ↑ "Irish FM: We'll recognize Palestine if peace talks remain stalled". Times of Israel. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  11. ↑ O'Halloran, Marie. "TDs asked 'do we want to be on right side of history?'". The Irish Times. Retrieved 20 November 2021.


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