SADAKA
The Ireland Palestine Alliance
European Push for Palestinian Recognition
Gilmore tells Palestinians that they have no greater friend
The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Eamon Gilmore TD, today said that Palestine and support for the rights of the Palestinian People continue to be a priority for Ireland. He said that Palestine had no greater friend in Europe.
He told former Palestinian foreign minister Dr. Nabeel Shaath that Ireland would be an advocate for Palestine when the issue of recognition is discussed at the European General Affairs Council next Monday. Palestine had "been waiting in the wings for a long time," he said.
Dr Shaath is in Dublin as a guest of Sadaka, Ireland Palestine Alliance, to rally Irish support for the Palestinian push for membership at the UN General Assembly in September. He said that Palestinians rely on Ireland as one of its strongest European supporters. He said that he was now hopeful that Ireland would vote yes to UN membership in the Autumn.
"We rely on Ireland and hope that it won’t let us down at this crucial time," Dr Shaath said. "Irish support is a very important part of our psyche. We have received support for the achievement of statehood from Ireland for a very long time and we are pleased to hear that it will continue to play a leading role in supporting our quest for the creation of our independent Palestinian State. Ireland will also support the subsequent negotiations with Israel to end its occupation and create a permanent peace in the Middle East".
The Palestinians are currently seeking a vote to allow them UN membership, which would constitute international recognition of statehood, based on 1967 borders. To date, 117 countries have committed to supporting the Palestinians at the UN. Ireland first recognised the Palestinian right to statehood in 1980.
Dr. Shaath is a member of the Central Committee of Fatah and Commissioner of International Relations. He has been a senior member of Palestinian negotiating teams for over 40 years and has attended Wye River, Camp David, Taba, Annapolis among major negotiating arenas.
For more information contact:
Edel Hackett, Tel: 087-2935207
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