On 28 May, Ireland marked one year since we announced, alongside Spain and Norway, that we would recognise the State of Palestine. We took that decision as an expression of our support for the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, self-governance, statehood territorial integrity and security.
Ireland’s recognition of the State of Palestine, alongside a number of European partners, and with the endorsement of key Arab States, was carefully calibrated to build momentum behind efforts to implement the two-State solution. We took the decision as an expression of hope, and in the spirit of peace. A year on, we now see the question of recognition at the centre of the international debate.
A shared priority with both our European and regional partners at this time is the forthcoming UN High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the two-State Solution. This will take place in New York in June of this year and will be co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia.
This Conference will provide an important opportunity to advance discussions on concrete initiatives towards implementing the two-State solution such as implementation of the Arab Recovery and Reconstruction Plan for Gaza. Ireland will co-chair a Working Group, alongside Türkiye, focused on preserving the two-State solution. We hope that this conference will be a decisive moment for the international community.
