Irish Foreign Minister and deputy Prime Minister Michael Martin said on Wednesday that Ireland, a prominent pro-Palestinian voice in Europe, will recognize Palestinian statehood by the end of May.
Martin told Newstalk radio station, “We will be recognizing the state of Palestine before the end of the month. The specific date is still fluid, because we’re still in discussions with some countries in respect of a joint recognition of a Palestinian state.” Palestine is already recognized as a sovereign state by 143 out of 193 member states of the UN.
In March the leaders of Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and Malta said in a joint statement that they stand ready to recognize Palestinian statehood, AFP reports.
Last week, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia planned to symbolically recognize a Palestinian state on May 21, with others potentially following suit.
"I will look forward to consultations today with some foreign ministers in respect of the final specific detail of this," Martin told the radio station.
As per a Guardian report, Martin said the plan was intended “to send a signal to the Palestinian population at large that we support their right to self-determination and the idea of a two state solution as ultimately the only way that Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace.”
Martin ruled out meeting Israeli officials during a trip to the region he has planned which will include a stop in Lebanon, and also was critical of the US funding new arms shipments for Israel.
Last month during a visit to Dublin by Spanish premier Pedro Sanchez, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said the countries would coordinate the move together.
"When we move forward, we would like to do so with as many others as possible to lend weight to the decision and to send the strongest message," said Harris.
