The US could “skip the Taoiseach meeting” in the White House on St Patrick’s Day next year as a result of Ireland recognising Palestine.

That's according to former White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney who said there's been “shock and outrage” in Washington following today’s announcement.

Ireland will officially recognise an independent Palestinian state on May 28th, in line with other European countries Norway and Spain.

On The Hard Shoulder today, Mr Mulvaney, who served under the Trump Administration, said the decision is seen in the US as a “recognition of Hamas”.

“I recognise the statement says it isn’t that and it’s directed at the Palestinian authority, but that’s not how it’s going to be perceived,” he said.

“It’s going to be perceived as a reward to Hamas for October 7th that this would not have happened for them if only for October 7th and the Israeli response.

“It’s going to be perceived as a good thing for Hamas.

“Hamas has not been quiet about it today; they’re crowing from the rooftops that this is a big win for them.”

Coalition leaders at the plinth outside Leinster House today recognising a Palestinian state. Image: Sasko Lazarov / © RollingNews.ie

Mr Mulvaney said Ireland’s visit to the White House next March will be “very interesting” on the back of today’s announcement.

“You have to match symbolism for symbolism and right now the biggest symbol we could send you folks is cancelling those meetings,” he said.

“There would be a conversation in the west wing next year if I were chief of staff of Donald Trump saying, ‘You know what Mr President, we might need to skip the Taoiseach meeting this year’.

“I know that’s a big deal, but that’s how big a deal this is.

“That’s the gravity of how this is being received in Washington today.”

Former White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney. Image: dpa picture alliance / Alamy Stock Photo

Mr Mulvaney said the decision to recognise Palestine diverges from US policy.

“It’s the official policy of this Government, Democrats and Republicans alike, to support a two-state solution,” he said.

“It’s the official position of this Government that the two-state solution should involve a dialogue between the two states involved and not by unilateral action by third parties - which is what this is.

“This does diverge fairly strongly from American policy and the rest of Europe.

“I recognise there is more than 100 nations that have already recognised Palestine, but none in Europe, none in the G7 and I don’t think any in the G20.”

'Prize for terrorism'

Mr Mulvaney added that Ireland has effectively “recognised a terrorist organisation as a legitimate Government.”

Israeli Ambassador to Ireland Dana Elrich told Newstalk earlier today that Hamas has seen the move as a “prize for terrorism”.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin also told Newstalk today that recognising Palestine was not equivalent to Ireland legitimising Hamas. 

You can listen back here:

Main image: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar presents US President Joe Biden with a bowl shamrocks during a St Patrick's Day reception at the White House, 17-3-23. Image: dpa picture alliance / Alamy