Ireland would be sending a message to Palestinian and Israelis if they go forward with plans to recognise the Palestinian State, according to a European correspondent.
Ireland is one of several countries considering recognising the Palestinian State on May 21st.
In a statement issued on March 22nd, then-Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Spanish, Maltese and Slovenian leaders said they had discussed their "readiness to recognise Palestine and said that we would do so when it can make a positive contribution and the circumstances are right".
Euronews European Correspondent Shona Murray said plans remain “tentative” - but these countries could recognise Palestine “within the month”.
“All of those countries that said they would recognise Palestine when the conditions allowed,” she told The Pat Kenny Show.
“That would have meant there will be negotiations when a two-State solution, but of course that hasn't happened – the opposite has happened.
“One of Netanyahu’s ambitions is to ensure that there is never a two-State solution.”
Mr Netanyahu has previously said a two-State solution would constitute "existential danger to Israel".
Palestinian state building 'momentum'
Ms Murray said recognising the Palestinian State is a form of “momentum” towards a two-State solution with Israel.
“That's what Ireland and Spain look to do,” she said. “A message to the Palestinians that we are here with you.
“And a message to the Israelis saying that we will not give up on our demands for a two-State solution.”
Other European countries
Other European countries, however, will be less likely to recognise Palestine, according to Ms Murray.
“You could never imagine Germany [recognising Palestine] without there being a roadmap of a two-State solution coming from the Israelis,” she said.
“The Hungarians will never support anything when it comes to Palestine - I heard that from several sources in the European Commission.
“Regardless of how desperate and savage the assault in Rafah is... no matter how bad that gets - and even Joe Biden has said, it's not right – they will not recognise Palestine.”
Ms Murray said this is partly a level of Islamophobia within the Hungarian Government, particularly from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
