Ireland will recognise a Palestinian State by the end of the month, the Tánaiste has confirmed. 

Numerous countries in the Global South recognise a Palestinian State but relatively few western countries to do so. 

Israel's Ambassador to Ireland has previously argued that recognition of Palestine would mean 'rewarding terrorism' and other countries believe it should only come when a two State solution is acheived. 

Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast, Micheál Martin said he hoped recognition would help advance the prospects of peace in the region. 

“We will be recognising the State of Palestine before the end of the month,” he said. 

“The specific date is still fluid because we’re still in discussion with some countries in respect of a joint recognition of a Palestinian State. 

“That will become clear in the next few days as to the specific date but it certainly will be before the end of this month and I will have further consultations today with some Foreign Ministers in respect of the final, specific details of this. 

“We’re doing it in the context of the Arab peace initiative, [efforts to support] a two State solution and to extend a signal towards the Palestinian population at large that we support their right to self-determination and the idea of a two State solution as the only way that Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace.”

The Palestinian flag flies at the United Nations in New York. Image: dpa picture alliance / Alamy

The Nakba on May 15th is a day of mourning by the Palestinian people; it marks the anniversary of the mass displacement of the Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. 

Last week, People Before Profit called for the Palestinian flag to be flown from public buildings as a gesture of solidarity but Mr Martin dismissed it as a pointless gesture.  

“I’m not as focused on flags and emblems, to be frank,” he said. 

“This week alone, there are two significant days that reflect the complexities of the Middle Eastern and Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 

“You had Israeli independence day on the 14th and Nakba day on the 15th. 

“It goes back right to the origin of this complex conflict. 

“What is important here is I think we focus on the substantive issues of an immediate ceasefire.” 

Ceasefire calls

Mr Martin described Israel’s decision to launch a ground offensive in the town of Rafah as “quite shocking” and said the suffering of locals is “immense”. 

He also urged the Biden administration in Washington to reconsider its decision to continue supplying Israel with weapons.

“I think the United States should not be funding [Israel] at this particular point,” he said. 

“I know there has been a pull back in respect of other armaments. 

“There’s the broader situation between Iran, Israel and the wider geopolitical situation in the region… but in my view a very clear signal has to be sent to Israel.”

Since Hamas' attak on Israel on October 7th, more than 600 Israeli troops have been killed in Gaza and the UN estimates some 34,000 Palestinians have died as well.

Main image: Tánaiste Micheál Martin meeting with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Dr Mohammad Shtayyeh in Ramallah in November. Picture by: @MichealMartinTD on X