Greens support recognition of Palestine
The Green Party declared its full support for the recognition of the State of Palestine today (May 9). The Green Party has long supported the Palestinian right to self-determination and the two-state solution as the only path to peace for Israel and Palestine. The Party called on other European countries to also extend recognition to Palestine and support their bid to join the United Nations.
Senator Vincent P. Martin, Green Party spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, said;
“For many years the Green Party has been consistently campaigning for Ireland to recognise the State of Palestine - we wholeheartedly welcome this latest development in realising that goal and we hope that many other countries will follow suit. It is a first essential step in paving the way for a settlement (Two State Solution) which must have peace, fairness and parity of esteem at its core.
Grace O’Sullivan MEP is a member of the European Parliament's Delegation for Relations with Palestine (DPAL), and visited the West Bank last year, but was refused entry to Gaza.
"The recognition of Palestinian statehood is long overdue and must be widely supported. It is the only path to peace in the Middle East, but it just one step towards peace. Ireland and the international community must also support Palestinian state building, so the people of the Palestinian territories can live safe, secure, and happy lives. It is critical that we see an end to Israel's bombardment of Gaza, a withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory, the unrestricted flow of aid to the Palestinian people, and a major reconstruction plan for the region."
The declaration comes after Tánaiste Micheál Martin spoke to the Green Party Parliamentary Party on Wednesday evening. He outlined several of the important steps Ireland has taken to support the population of Gaza, including the decision in February to commit an additional €20m in funding to UNRWA. He also said Ireland will intervene in the genocide case at the International Court of Justice soon after South Africa has filed its substantive case.
Ciarán Cuffe MEP, explained why recognition is so important;
“Recognising the State of Palestine is an essential step towards achieving a two-state solution and establishing a lasting peace between Israel and Palestine, and I hope this decision opens the way for more EU countries to take the same step.
“I am also hopeful that it will increase the pressure on the EU to take concrete steps to end the relentless Israeli assault on Gaza. After 7 months of catastrophic violence that has left 35,000 people dead and many more injured, nothing less than an EU ban on arms exports and the import of Israeli settlement goods, the immediate suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, and sanctions against violent West Bank settlers, is required.”
Ireland will also vote in favour of Palestinian membership of the UN when the UN General Assembly considers this issue tomorrow.
The Green Party repeated its call for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
