DUP MP Ian Paisley: Republic of Ireland recognising Palestinian state plays to extremists and will lead to abuse of those linked to Israel

North Antrim MP Ian Paisley was speaking after Irish premier Simon Harris said the decision was taken due to Ireland’s understanding of a country’s fight for international recognition, and based on a belief in “permanent peace”.

The decision is to formally take effect on May 28.

The Taoiseach said that “ideally” recognition of Palestine would have been taken as part of a peace settlement in the Middle East, but said “our decision to recognise Palestine should not have to wait indefinitely”.

“Today Ireland, Norway and Spain are announcing that we recognise the state of Palestine,” said Mr Harris.

“Each of us will now undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision.”

Shortly before Mr Harris made the announcement outside Government Buildings in Dublin, Israel recalled its ambassador in Ireland, with its foreign affairs minister Israel Katz calling it a “distorted step”.

Israel’s embassy in Ireland said that it views Ireland’s move to recognise Palestine as “undermining its sovereignty and security” and as “damaging to our bilateral relations”.

The Taoiseach said that “Israel loses nothing from the recognition of the state of Palestine” and condemned the “barbaric massacre carried out by Hamas” on October 7 last year.

“Recognising the state of Palestine sends a message that there is a viable alternative to the nihilism of Hamas. Hamas has nothing to offer but pain and suffering to Israelis and Palestinians alike,” Mr Harris said.

“There is also no future in the extremist version of Zionism that fuels settler violence and illegal appropriation of land in the West Bank.”

Mr Harris called for a ceasefire, the unconditional release of hostages, unhindered access for humanitarian aid, “no further” military incursion into Rafah, and “no more Hamas or Hezbollah rockets fired at Israel”.

“Civilians on all sides must be protected by international humanitarian law. Violence and hatred can only ever be a dead end. The only pathway to peace is political.”

He added: “Let me be clear that Ireland condemns the barbaric massacre carried out by Hamas on October 7th last. Civilians attacked and murdered. Hostages taken in the most brutal and terrifying of circumstances, including a young Israeli-Irish child.“We call again for all hostages to be immediately returned to the arms of their loved ones.”

But DUP MP Mr Paisley strongly opposed the move.

“The announcement by the Dublin Prime Minister to recognise the state of Palestine - even though he could not identify that state accurately on a map - will unfortunately only play into the hands of extremist, anti-Jewish and anti-Israel factions," he said.

"Ireland should brace itself for a run of abuse against people and businesses associated with Israel. What is atrocious is that the announcement this morning did not have one word of condemnation of Hamas terrorism on 7 October.”

However, Irish premier Simon Harris and deputy premier Micheal Martin both condemned the “barbaric massacre” carried out by Hamas last October in their public statements.

Mr Paisley continued: "Those who are taking these decisions say they are defending the human rights of innocent children when we know many of the same people are hiding behind those victims of the war as a shield to mask their anti-Israel viewpoint.

"It has taken the Irish state over 90 years to recognise Palestine. One can only view that this is about electioneering and appealing to the extreme elements in Irish society to come back and support the so-called centrist parties.

"Given the unique association Ireland had with prominent Israel figures - Ireland's first chief rabbi and a President of the state of Israel all with Irish ancestry - one can only see this as a turning away from Israel."

He said that Israel was right to remove its representatives from Dublin.

"We can stand with the innocent Arab people whose Palestinian identity is not in question whilst at the same time calling out Hamas," he added.

"Hamas are using those same innocent people as human shields in a war they started on 7 October when they attacked innocent Jews in Israel.”

Responding to the news, the TUV said that Hama is opposed to a two-state solution and “openly calls for the annihilation of the world’s only Jewish state”.

TUV deputy leader, Councillor Ron McDowell said: “Today’s announcement by the Republic has been predictably fawned over by BBC Northern Ireland but there has been little serious scrutiny of its ramifications.

“Let’s not forget that the reason why there are Israeli forces in Gaza is because of the horrific events of 7th October. They are attempting to remove Hamas from power there - an organisation which is recognised as a terrorist group by most of the international community. Yet Hamas came to power in elections in Gaza.

“Hamas is responsible for the atrocities of 7th October including mass murder of men, women and children and countless examples of sexual violence against Israeli women. To this day civilians - assuming they haven’t been murdered - continue to be held hostage by Hamas.

“Having provided sanctity for terrorists for 30 years during the IRA’s bloody campaign of terror, today’s decision by Dublin gives succour to another group terrorists. It is also important to remember that far from wanting to see a two state solution, Hamas openly call for the annihilation of the world’s only Jewish state.”