Ireland, Spain and Norway on Tuesday formally recognised a Palestinian state, after their announcement last week that they would do so angered Israel which called the move a “reward for terrorism” and recalled its ambassadors.
Dublin, Madrid, and Oslo have painted their decision as a move aimed at accelerating efforts to secure a ceasefire in Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza, and have urged other countries to follow suit.
Ireland’s government approved the recognition in a cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning.
“The Government recognises Palestine as a sovereign and independent state and agreed to establish full diplomatic relations between Dublin and Ramallah,” the statement said.
“An Ambassador of Ireland to the State of Palestine will be appointed along with a full Embassy of Ireland in Ramallah.”
Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris the move was about keeping hope for peace alive.
Denmark’s parliament on Tuesday voted down a bill to recognise a Palestinian state, after the Danish foreign minister previously said the necessary preconditions for an independent country were lacking.
The Danish bill was first proposed in late February by four left-wing parties.
