At a press conference held today at Government Buildings, Taoiseach Simon Harris, Tánaiste Micheál Martin, and Minister Eamon Ryan declared that Ireland would recognise the State of Palestine as of May 28.

Ireland is announcing on the same day as Spain and Norway, after months of consultation with nations around Europe and the Middle East.

In his remarks, Harris made reference to Irish history when he said, “On January 21, 1919, Ireland requested that the world acknowledge our right to exist as an independent nation.”

“We appealed for worldwide recognition of our independence in our message to the free nations of the globe, stressing our unique national identity, our historical fight, and our rights to justice and self-determination.”

“Today, we use the same language to support the recognition of Palestine as a state.”

“Ireland today recognises Palestine as a nation among nations with all the rights and responsibilities that entails,” the Taoiseach stated in a news release. Ireland has acknowledged Israel's right to exist in peace and security for many years.

“We had hoped to recognize Palestine as part of a two-state peace deal but instead we recognize Palestine to keep the hope of that two-state solution alive.”

“We want to thank and are honoured to recognize Palestine at the same time as our friends in Spain and Norway. We are hopeful others will do the same in the next wave.”

In the upcoming weeks, Harris expressed confidence that additional nations will adopt the same action as Norway, Spain, and Ireland. “This is a historic and important day for Ireland and for Palestine,” he stated.

Following the declaration, Israel's foreign minister gave the ambassadors from Norway and Ireland the order to return to Israel right away.

Israel's foreign ministry threatened that acknowledging a Palestinian state “will lead to more terrorism” and “jeopardise any prospects for peace” in an internet video directed against Ireland.

Mahmoud Abbas, the president of Palestine, hailed the recognition and said it would uphold attempts to achieve a two-state solution with Israel by enshrining “the Palestinian people's right to self-determination.”