Palestinian flag to fly over the Dáil today as Ireland formally recognises war-torn state

The Palestinian flag will fly over Leinster House on Tuesday as Ireland formally recognises the war-torn state, an act described by the Israeli ambassador to Ireland describes as "a prize for terrorism."

Tánaiste Micheál Martin is bringing proposals to the Cabinet table today to sign off on formal recognition of Palestine as a sovereign and independent state.

Ireland will set up full diplomatic relations with Palestine with the Palestinian Mission in Ireland being upgraded to an embassy following the move. 

The Representative Office of Ireland in Ramallah will also be upgraded to an embassy. Ireland was the first EU member state to endorse the idea of Palestinian statehood in 1980. Spain and Norway also have plans to recognise the state of Palestine.

The move has been widely welcomed in Irish political circles but there has been some international criticism and from Israel itself.

Israeli foreign minister Yisrael Katz slammed the move last week and instructed the immediate recall of Israel’s ambassadors to Ireland.

He said: "I’m sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the face of those undermining its sovereignty and endangering its security.

"Today’s decision sends a message to the Palestinians and the world: Terrorism pays. After the Hamas terror organisation carried out the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, after committing heinous sexual crimes witnessed by the world, these countries chose to reward Hamas and Iran by recognising a Palestinian state.

"This distorted step by these countries is an injustice to the memory of the victims of 7/10, a blow to efforts to return the 128 hostages, and a boost to Hamas and Iran's jihadists, which undermines the chance for peace and questions Israel’s right to self-defense.

"Israel will not remain silent - there will be further severe consequences. If Spain follows through on its intention to recognise a Palestinian state, a similar step will be taken against it.

"The Irish-Norwegian folly does not deter us; we are determined to achieve our goals: restoring security to our citizens, dismantling Hamas, and bringing the hostages home. There are no more just causes than these."