Ireland to formally recognize Palestine soon, says deputy PM

Tanaiste, or deputy prime minister, of Ireland says his nation and some other EU states to formally recognize Palestinian state once peace initiative underway

Ireland will soon formally recognize the State of Palestine, Tanaiste (deputy prime minister) and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin told Dail Eireann, the lower house of Ireland, on Tuesday.

Martin said delaying recognition “is not credible or tenable any longer.”

The deputy prime minister added that he was in discussions about the recognition with other European states as well. “(Be) in no doubt recognition of a Palestinian State will happen.”

Ireland and other EU nations are expected to announce the formal recognition of Palestine once a peace initiative is under way.