The United Nations General Assembly has passed a resolution supporting a Palestinian bid for full membership.
It passed overwhelmingly on Friday with 143 countries in favour, nine against and 25 abstaining.
The move, which was co-sponsored by Ireland, gives Palestine a number of rights within the assembly later this year.
It means Palestine will be seated among member states in alphabetical order, can make statements on behalf of a group and co-sponsor proposals and amendments.
It will also give Palestine "full and effective participation" in UN conferences and international conferences and meetings.
Results of a UN General Assembly' vote on the resolution on the status of the Observer State of Palestine, 10-5-24. Image: UN PhotoTánaiste Micheál Martin said he is proud of Ireland's role.
"I welcome that the United Nations General Assembly has passed the resolution on Palestine’s membership of the UN by an overwhelming majority," he said.
"I am proud that Ireland took a leadership role in co-sponsoring the resolution, and voting in favour.
"The international community must state unequivocally that it is time for concrete, irreversible actions to underpin the equal right to security, dignity and self-determination for both the Palestinian and Israeli peoples.
"Collectively, we made that statement today".
Mr Martin said there is still a challenge ahead.
"I am under no illusion as to the challenge that converting this resolution into reality will entail," he said.
"There is a long road ahead. But in today’s vote we have heard the voice of the world say unambiguously that it is time for Palestine to take its rightful place amongst the nations of the world".
Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of the observer State of Palestine, addressing the UN General Assembly, 10-5-24. Image: UN PhotoAhead of the vote, Palestine's UN representative Riyad Mansour recounted the impacts of the ongoing war in Gaza.
"No words can capture what such loss and trauma signify for Palestinians, their families, their communities and for our nation as whole,” he said.
He said Palestinians in Gaza have been pushed to the “very edge” of the Strip, "to the very brink of life" with "bombs and bullets haunting them".
He highlighted that despite the attacks and destruction, the flag of Palestine "flies high and proud” in Palestine and across the globe becoming a “symbol raised by all those who believe in freedom and its just rule".
"It is true that we will not disappear but the lives lost cannot be restored," he added.
Thank you Ireland
Thank you Minister @MichealMartinTD https://t.co/hgdieWgjGB— Mission of the State of Palestine to Ireland (@IrePalestine) May 10, 2024
Mr Mansour said after holding observer status for 50 years, "we wish from all those who invoke the UN Charter to abide by the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination guaranteed by the Charter".
"A 'Yes' vote is a vote for Palestinian existence, it is not against any state but it is against our attempts to deprive us of our State," he added.
Israel's UN representative Gild Erdan claimed the move by the UN was "welcoming a terror state into its ranks".
It comes ahead of a reported recognition of the State of Palestine by a number of European Union states, including Ireland.
