Politics

Taoiseach and Spanish PM reaffirm their wish to formally recognise Palestine

Simon Harris says international community clear that Israeli military operation in Rafah will inevitably lead to ‘disastrous humanitarian consequences’

Taoiseach Simon Harris has spoken by telephone on Monday to Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez about the recognition of Palestine. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Taoiseach Simon Harris has spoken by telephone on Monday to Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez about the recognition of Palestine. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Pat Leahy
Mon May 06 2024 - 11:26

Taoiseach Simon Harris has spoken by telephone on Monday to Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez about the recognition of Palestine.

Ireland and Spain are leading an effort to get several EU countries to recognise the State of Palestine in the coming weeks, as part of a drive to support a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

In a statement issued by Government Buildings, Mr Harris said he and Mr Sánchez had “reaffirmed the wish for both Spain and Ireland to recognise Palestine, agreeing that formal recognition is an important part of acknowledging that a two-state solution is the only way to bring about peace and stability in the region, with a State of Palestine and the State of Israel living side-by-side in peace and security”.

“Prime Minister Sánchez and I are both eager to make progress on this very shortly and we agreed to remain in close contact,” he added. “We are co-ordinating efforts with other European states to recognise a Palestinian state alongside like-minded countries. This will be done in a way that can have the most positive impact on the situation on the ground.”

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Mr Harris also said the two men “took stock of the work under way in New York on a resolution on Palestine’s membership of the UN”.

“Ireland fully supports Palestinian membership of the UN. The UN General Assembly will consider this issue on May 10th and we expect a large majority of UN member to take a similar position,” he said.

The conversation took place as Israel ordered civilians in parts of Rafah to evacuate to a “humanitarian zone” 20km away in what may be a preparation for an anticipated military assault on the city, the last holdout of Hamas but also where more than a million refugees from the invasion of Gaza have been sheltering.

“Prime Minister Sánchez and I shared our deep concern about reports that Israel has ordered an evacuation of civilians from parts of Rafah in preparation of a military operation,” Mr Harris said.

“I reiterate my call on Israel not to undertake a full-scale military operation in Rafah. The international community has made it very clear that an Israeli military operation in Rafah will inevitably lead to disastrous humanitarian consequences and the deaths of large numbers of innocent civilians. The protection of civilians is an obligation under international humanitarian law.”

The Taoiseach reiterated the call for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional and immediate release of all remaining hostages and for “a surge in humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza”.

Pat Leahy

Pat Leahy

Pat Leahy is Political Editor of The Irish Times