Irish Foreign Minister: We are moving towards recognizing Palestinian statehood

(Patria) - Ireland will move to recognize a Palestinian state in the coming weeks, Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin said in Dublin on Tuesday, AFP reported.

Martin said that a formal proposal to recognize a Palestinian state would be brought to the government once "broader international discussions" are concluded.

"Make no mistake, recognition of a Palestinian state will happen," he told the Irish parliament during a speech. Postponing recognition "is no longer credible or sustainable," he said.

Martin later told the local news site Journal that the formal proposal would happen "in the coming weeks." He said he had spent the last six months in discussions about recognition with other countries involved in peace initiatives. Last month, the leaders of Spain, Ireland, Slovakia, and Malta stated in a joint declaration that they were ready to recognize Palestinian statehood.

Ireland has long said that in principle it has nothing against officially recognizing a Palestinian state if it could help the peace process in the Middle East.

But the war in Gaza has given new impetus to this issue. The war broke out with Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of 1,170 people, mostly civilians. At least 33,360 people have been killed in Gaza in the Israeli offensive, mostly women and children.

"I have no doubt that war crimes have been committed and I fully condemn the ongoing bombing of the people of Gaza," Martin said.

Recognition of statehood "could be a catalyst to help people in Gaza and the West Bank and to advance an Arab-led peace initiative," he added.