Ireland will today formally recognise Palestine as a State with the Palestinian flag set to be raised over Leinster House. The recognition would establish full diplomatic relations, upgrade the Palestinian Mission to Ireland to an embassy and the appointment of an ambassador. The memo to Ministers is understood to point out that the 'clear and consistent' position of Ireland over recent decades is for the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory to end.
Later Taoiseach Simon Harris will address the Dáil where it is expected he will say that Palestine should be able to vindicate the full rights of a State - including self-determination, self-governance and security. All parties will be invited to contribute to Dáil statements on the matter. The recognition by Ireland comes as an Israeli airstrike in the southern Gaza city of Rafah killed at least 45 people yesterday. Israeli officials claim the strike was against Hamas commanders.
