Ireland approves Palestinian ambassador for first time

AFP , Tuesday 5 Nov 2024

Ireland accepted the appointment of a full Palestinian ambassador for the first time on Tuesday, after Dublin formally recognised a Palestinian state earlier this year.

Micheal Martin.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Micheal Martin. Official X account of Micheál Martin.


Senior ministers confirmed that Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid would step up from her current position as Palestinian Head of Mission to Ireland.

In May Dublin said it was recognising Palestine as "a sovereign and independent state" comprising the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and agreed to establish full diplomatic relations.

Spain and Norway recognised a Palestinian state the same day as Ireland, with Slovenia following a week later, drawing retaliatory moves from Israel.

They have been among the most outspoken critics of Israel's military campaing on the Gaza Strip in October 7, 2023 following the unprecended offensive by Hamas on Israel.

Formal diplomatic relations between Ireland and the State of Palestine were established in September.

Last month, the Palestinian Authority formally notified Dublin of its intention to upgrade its representation in Ireland from a diplomatic mission to a resident embassy under the 1961 Vienna Convention which guarantees protection for diplomatic staff.

The upgrade means that the diplomatic mission will now have the full range of privileges and immunities applicable under the Vienna Convention.

The Israeli genocidal war against Gaza has killed at least 43,391 people, most of them women and children, with more than 102,347 others injured since 7 October 2023.

* This story was edited by Ahram Online.

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