Ireland

Trócaire praises Republic’s ‘historic’ recognition of the State of Palestine

‘Ireland has also recognised the humanity of the Palestinian people’ - Caoimhe de Barra, Trócaire chief executive

‘Ireland has also recognised the humanity of the Palestinian people’ - Caoimhe de Barra, Trocáire chief executive.
‘Ireland has also recognised the humanity of the Palestinian people’ - Caoimhe de Barra, Trocáire chief executive.
By Catherine McGinty

Trócaire chief executive Caoimhe de Barra described the Republic’s recognition of the State of Palestine as “historic” and the necessary “first step in a peace process”.

“This is important because it means you will have two states on much more equal terms negotiating with one another. This is something the Palestinian people really need,” she said.

“Ireland’s recognition of the State of Palestine is a great support to the people of Palestine.

“Our partners and people on the ground are saying it recognises not just the State of Palestine but the humanity of the Palestinian people.

“It makes them feel seen and hears and not forgotten in all of this difficult context.

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“It builds on previous initiatives by the Irish Government, including the 2021 Annexation of Palestine Motion, which recognised the occupation of Palestinian territories as de facto annexation.”

With support from Trócaire, Medical Aid for Palestinians have been able to procure drugs and medical supplies to be delivered into Gaza through the Rafah crossing. November, 2023. Photo: Medical Aid for Palestinians.
With support from Trócaire, Medical Aid for Palestinians have been able to procure drugs and medical supplies to be delivered into Gaza through the Rafah crossing. Photo: Medical Aid for Palestinians.

Speaking to The Irish News, she added: “These two things are linked because the Irish Government has been very concerned over many years that, as settlements expand, the potential for a future two-state solution recedes.

“We have seen since early October, the settlement expansion escalating and the war in Gaza becoming absolutely intolerable.

“What is significant is Ireland, Norway and Spain are moving at the same time.

“For many years, the general position of many western states, including Ireland but particularly Norway, which negotiated the 1993 Oslo Accords - the expansion of Palestinian self-rule throughout most of the West Bank - was recognition of the State of Palestine should come at the end of the peace process. However, they have now all recognised it needs to be the first step in a peace process.”

Trócaire has been working in the region for 22 years, with four partner organisations, in the West Bank, Jerusalem and Gaza.

“They are staffed and run by Gazan colleagues, all of whom are affected by the current context, as much as anybody else,” said Ms de Barra.

“Many of our partner organisations have had to stop and start their operations depending on the security in the areas where they are working/ For the last number of weeks, because there has been virtually no transport of any aid items across the border, they have had to suspend the entirety of their operations.”

Trócaire lost two colleagues in Gaza who died when their homes were bombarded.

The number of aid workers killed since October 7 stands at 262– two in direct attacks by Israel.

Ms de Barra added: “It is extremely difficult and dangerous to work. Even if you share co-ordinates from the liaison unit with the Israeli Defence Forces, you are still not protected. You could still come under attack from them.”