Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Matt Carthy TD, has described the announcement that Ireland will officially recognise the state of Palestine, ten years after the adoption of a Sinn Féin Dáil motion to that effect, as a historic moment for Ireland and Palestine.

Deputy Carthy commended those who had campaigned for this outcome for many years and he called on the government to take the next logical steps by ensuring that Israel is held to account and meaningfully sanctioned for the ongoing gross violations of international law in Gaza and across Palestine.

Speaking in the Dáil today, Teachta Carthy said:

“The announcement that Ireland will formally recognise Palestine next Tuesday is a historic moment for both Ireland and Palestine.

“Today, I commend all those who have campaigned for this moment, all those who marched, who petitioned, who have stood up for international law, and for the reality that the only route to a lasting peace in the middle east lies with a free, independent and sovereign Palestinian state.

“The state that we will now officially recognise has long endured oppression, occupation and apartheid. Today the people of Gaza face a relentless genocide.

“I hope that the occasion of recognition will be marked in this house with statements, with the flying of the Palestinian flag and the attendance of Palestinian representatives.

“But, more than that, I expect that government will take the next logical steps.

“Israel must be held to account and meaningfully sanctioned for the ongoing gross violations of international law in Gaza and across Palestine.

“Ireland must be world leaders, not just in recognising a Palestinian state, but in securing a viable and free Palestine and a lasting and just peace.”