The flag of Palestine has been flown above Dublin City Hall.
Dublin City Council voted unanimously on March 30th to fly the Palestinian flag between May 15th until early June.
The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) has called it "a heartening gesture of solidarity".
The motion, proposed by councillor John Lyons, read: "Noting recent reports of diplomatic developments by the Irish state toward full recognition of the state of Palestine, aware also that Ireland accorded the Palestinian delegation in Dublin diplomatic status in 2014, the same year that witnessed both Houses of the Oireachtas pass motions in support of Palestinian statehood, this city council will fly the flag of Palestine over City Hall for the month of May 2017 in support of the above diplomatic moves and as a gesture of our solidarity with the people of Palestine living under occupation in the West Bank and Gaza, with the Palestinian citizens of Israel denied basic democratic rights and with the over 7 million displaced Palestinians denied the right of return to their homeland."
Sligo County Council also voted to flag the flag from its council building from May 15th until the end of the month.
IPSC chairperson Fatin Al-Tamimi said: "We in the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign sincerely thank Dublin City and Sligo County Councils for voting for these important symbolic measures.
"They are in the words of the motions themselves, heartening gestures of solidarity with the people of Palestine living under occupation in the West Bank and Gaza with the Palestinian citizens of Israel denied basic democratic rights and with the over seven million displaced Palestinians denied the right of return to their homeland.
"I'm sure I am echoing the views of all Palestinians in Ireland in saying that these gestures have been truly soul-stirring and deeply emotional on a personal level".
Former Justice Minister Alan Shatter has hit out at the decision.
He wrote on Twitter that it was "Morally bankrupt politics" and 'celebrating attacks' on Israelis.
"Pity similar enthusiasm absent when Jewish victims of Nazism and concentration camp survivors sought permission to reside in Ireland", he added.
— Alan Shatter (@Alan__Shatter) May 9, 2017
In last 20 months there were177 stabbing attacks on Israelis:58 vehicular attacks:146 shootings:resulting in 49 killed and many injured.
— Alan Shatter (@Alan__Shatter) May 9, 2017
Pity similar enthusiasm absent when Jewish victims of Nazism and concentration camp survivors sought permission to reside in Ireland
— Alan Shatter (@Alan__Shatter) May 9, 2017
Attempts to contact Alan Shatter were not successful at time of publication.
The State of Palestine is recognised by 137 United Nations members, of which Ireland is not one.
The UN General Assembly voted by 138 votes to 9 in favour of giving Palestine 'Non-Member Observer State' Status in 2012.
While the Palestinian flag was first flown at the UN in September 2015.
