The Government’s decision to formally recognise the State of Palestine will 'not change very much', an expert on the Middle East has claimed.

The Tánaiste Micheál Martin yesterday told the Dáil that Government is working with other nations on a “joint formal recognition of Palestinian statehood”.

Minister Martin said he believes the move could be a “catalyst to help the people of Gaza and the West Bank and in furthering an Arab-led peace initiative”.

Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, Holocaust Awareness Ireland founder Oliver Sears described the current situation in Gaza as a “disaster” – but said he doubted the wisdom of recognising a Palestinian State.

“It doesn’t surprise me the position of the Government has really trended towards looking at a very kind of moral position without really engaging with the crux of the matter,” he said. 

“I think it’s easy to declare or encourage the Palestinians to declare a State at a time when it seems to be on its knees.” 

Palestinians walk past a building destroyed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip in Gaza City, 3-1-24. Image:Associated Press / Alamy

Mr Sears said he felt “personally heartbroken” at what has happened since October 7th but urged people to put events in an historical context. 

“If we’re going to reach some kind of resolution here, there must be balance and I think that one has to look at some history here,” he said. 

“The Palestinians were offered the opportunity to declare their own State by the UN on exactly the same day, November 29th, 1947, when the Jews in the region were offered that opportunity. 

“The Jews took it and Palestinians didn’t and 13 Arab countries declared war simultaneously on what was the fledgling Israeli State.” 

Widespread damage to buildings near the Palestine Tower in Gaza City after bombardment by Isreali forces.

Mr Sears also criticised Fine Gael for not inviting the Israeli Ambassador to its Ard Fheis earlier this month. 

“Finally, we have to understand that these two parties need to engage with each other,” he said. 

“So, for instance, while the Government is doing [this] on the one hand, it also disinvited… the Israeli Ambassador to the recent Fine Gael Ard Fheis.

“What statement does that make?” 

The Israeli Government opposes unilateral international recognition of a Palestinian State and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said it would amount to a “huge reward” for Hamas’ attack on October 7th.

Since the attack, an estimated 33,000 people in Gaza have died.

Main image: Destroyed buildings inside the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, 19-03-2024. Image: AP Photo/Ariel Schalit