DUBLIN — Ireland will officially recognize Palestine as a state in a move expected to be coordinated with at least two other European governments, an Irish official told POLITICO.
The move is expected to be announced at an 8 a.m. press conference Wednesday led by the leaders of Ireland’s three-party government: Prime Minister Simon Harris, Foreign Minister Micheál Martin and Environment Minister Eamon Ryan.
The Irish official — who spoke to POLITICO on condition he wasn’t identified because the purpose of Wednesday’s press conference wasn’t officially revealed in advance — said Ireland planned to coordinate its announcement in tandem with similar moves in two other European capitals Wednesday morning. The official declined to identify either of them.
Ireland in recent weeks has discussed the potential timing of recognizing Palestinian statehood in a series of meetings with the governments of Spain, Slovenia, Belgium, Norway and Malta, all of whom broadly share Ireland’s view that the EU as a whole ought to recognize Palestinian statehood.
Anticipating Dublin’s move, the Israeli foreign ministry issued a video criticizing Ireland for allegedly playing into the hands of Hamas.
“The fact that Hamas leaders are thanking you should serve as a wake-up call,” the Israeli government video chides in the message pointed at Ireland.
Until now, Sweden has been the only EU member to have unilaterally recognized Palestine as a state. Several other European countries adopted the position before they joined the EU.
While none of the G7 nations recognize Palestine, more than 140 of the 193 members of the United Nations do.
CORRECTION: This article was updated to correct the number of member nations of the U.N.