TRANSCRIPT
"Today, Ireland, Norway, and Spain are announcing that we recognise the state of Palestine. Each of us will now undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision. I've spoken with a number of other leaders and counterparts and I'm confident that further countries will join us in taking this important step in the coming weeks. This is an historic and important day for Ireland and for Palestine."
That was Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris announcing the historic move of Norway, Spain and his own country in recognising the state of Palestine while calling on others to follow suit.
It comes two days after the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (Karim Khan) requested arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders over alleged war crimes.
Palestinian ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour says the unequivocal recognition of Palestinian statehood from Ireland, Norway and Spain is a good sign - and he hopes more countries join them.
"It is a wonderful omen, that we received very positive news from Europe, that Spain, Ireland and Norway declared today that they will be recognizing the state of Palestine on the 28th of this month. This European wave hopefully will be followed by other waves. The state of Palestine deserves to be a full member state in the United Nations."
Prime Minister Harris says Ireland's decision was inspired by their country's move to become an independent state with its Declaration of Independence on January 21, 1919.
"Our message to the free nations of the world was a plea for international recognition of our independence, emphasising our distinct national identity, our historical struggle and our right to self-determination and justice. Today, we use the same language to support the recognition of Palestine as a state."
Residents in the Irish capital say they agree with the decision to recognise Palestinian statehood.
"Yeah, I think Palestine should be recognised as a state. I think Ireland and Palestine have a lot of like conjoined history and we've been oppressed by similar groups and things in the past. And I think if Irish people can't see the correlation there, then they don't know what it is to be Irish. They don't understand enough about Irish history."
"Yes, I think is a very good idea. Israel has forgotten their own history. I mean, you can't exterminate a people and expect them to disappear. It doesn't happen. You know, I mean, you either work with people or this is what happens. You know? So, yeah, I totally support it."
Some 140 countries – including more than two-thirds of the UN member states - recognise Palestine as a state, including Russia, China and India.
Earlier this month, Australia was among nations who supported a vote on Palestinian membership for the UN General Assembly.
Speaking to SBS News, Foreign Minister Penny Wong says Australia does not officially recognise Palestinian statehood right now, but is open to considering the issue in the future.
"Australia has a position where we will be prepared to look to recognition as part of a peace process. Our test must always be is our action going to contribute to the cause of peace."
However, recognition of a Palestinian state is still opposed by Israel's closest ally the United States, which has the power to veto it at the U-N and did so last month.
Meanwhile, the decision by Ireland, Spain and Norway was met with anger from Israel's government.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz says the decision would carry "severe consequences" and ordered the immediate return of the Israeli ambassadors from the three countries.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeated his claim that recognising Palestinian statehood would be a reward for terrorism.
"This would be a terrorist state. It will try to repeat the massacre of October 7 again and again; we will not consent to this. Rewarding terrorism will not bring peace and neither will it stop us from defeating Hamas."
Professor of Public International Law at Maastricht University in the Netherlands, Jure Vidmar, says the dream of a Palestinian state achieving universal recognition is still out of reach - but this move from Ireland, Norway and Spain could be the start of a significant shift.
"Three is still relatively few in number. Nothing will change today or tomorrow, but it could be significant if this starts a trend and if more states were to follow in the coming days, weeks and months."
