Ireland’s lower house of Parliament approved a nonbinding resolution calling on the government to formally recognize the state of Palestine.

The measure that passed unanimously late Tuesday night in the Dail was sponsored by the left-wing Sinn Fein party. It calls for a State of Palestine on the basis of the 1967 borders with eastern Jerusalem as its capital.

Celebration after historic Dáil decision 2 recognise Palestinian right 2 self determination. Long live Palestine! pic.twitter.com/d5IgqccOhq

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

— Gerry Adams (@GerryAdamsSF) December 10, 2014

The motion is similar to one passed in October by the upper house of Parliament, the Seanad.

Ireland’s Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan told the Associated Press his government is considering recognition of Palestinian statehood as a possible tactic for kick-starting Middle East peace talks, an idea bitterly opposed by Israel.

“I’ve no difficulty in principle with the idea of early recognition, if I believe it can contribute to achieving a settlement of the conflict,” Flanagan told lawmakers. “The present stalemate is not acceptable.”

He credited Sweden with inspiring the entire 28-nation EU to consider Palestinian statehood. He said Ireland still hoped to make the move as part of a wider Mideast peace deal, not before it or unilaterally in advance of achieving an EU consensus.

The issue of recognition for a state of Palestine has been spreading across Europe.

Spain, France and Britain recently passed similar nonbinding motions. Sweden has also announced it would recognize a Palestinian state.

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount