Taoiseach pledges to advocate for Palestinian recognition

The Taoiseach has told President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas that he will continue to speak out for Palestine in the EU and other international forum, and urge other countries to recognise the state of Palestine.

"There is an absolute right to a Palestinian state, a state that can live in peace and security alongside the State of Israel," he said.

The two leaders met in the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York.

The Palestinian leader thanked Ireland for giving formal diplomatic recognition to the state of Palestine earlier this year.

Simon Harris met Mr Abbas in a New York hotel, the first such meeting since Ireland, Spain and Norway formally recognised the state of Palestine in May.

President Abbas and Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa updated Mr Harris on conditions in the West Bank and Gaza, condemned Hamas and said diplomatic recognition from an EU state like Ireland kept hope alive for Palestinians at a very difficult time.

Following the meeting, Mr Mustafa told RTÉ News that diplomatic recognition by Ireland "meant everything".

He said: "We thank Ireland for this very important step.

"We think it clearly sends the right message to our people, for hope, for staying the course to earn our independence after all these years of national struggle.

"We think we're getting there with the help of good people, like the people of Ireland and their Government.

"So, we're grateful for this."

Mr Mustafa said he hoped the move by Ireland, Spain and Norway to grant official recognition of the state of Palestine would encourage other countries to join the 149 states that now recognise Palestine.

"I know that there are many of them that are waiting for the right moment. Hopefully that moment will come sooner rather than later," he said.

"I think this will be not only a gift for Palestinians, but also an investment in peace for this region that needs peace so badly," he added.

Speaking to Palestinian Television, the Taoiseach said he wanted President Abbas to know "that Ireland sees Palestine".

"We know what it's like to live in a country where you have had to really work to be seen, to have your right for self-determination," Mr Harris said.

"We know what that is like," he added.

The Taoiseach said there was a clear difference between Hamas - which he condemned - and the state of Palestine.

He said: "I know very clearly - and the people of Ireland know very clearly - that Palestine is not Hamas.

"Hamas offers the people of Palestine no future.

"Terrorism offers the people of Palestine - or no person in the world - any future."

Mr Harris said a ceasefire is needed.

"An immediate cessation of violence, so the killing can stop, so the aid can flow, so the hostages can be released and so we can get to a point where we can have a political process to bring about a two-state solution," he said.

"That was my message to President Abbas," he added.

Mr Harris said it was an honour to meet Mr Abbas in person.

The Taoiseach said it was the first time that he has had "the opportunity to meet him since Ireland took the decision to recognise the state of Palestine".

"I will continue to advocate at a European level for more states to recognise Palestine because you cannot have a two-state solution, if you don't recognise the existence of two states," he said.

"I will continue to work on behalf of the Irish people with other countries in terms of trying to get the aid to flow," he added.

The Taoiseach said he "had a good meeting with the King of Jordan".

"I will continue to call on all countries in the world to use all levers at our disposal to help bring about the environment for a ceasefire," he said.

Mr Harris said: "I'm very conscious that the children of Gaza are being failed.

"The people of Palestine are being failed and international law is being utterly flouted.

"And this situation cannot continue."

President Abbas is due to address the United Nations General Assembly tomorrow.