MEPs have voted in favour of calling on the EU to consider recognising the state of Palestine - but have stopped short of agreeing to describe what is happening in Gaza as "genocide" and a "man-made famine".
The calls for "genocide" to be included in the final text were supported by almost all of Ireland's 14 MEPs after significant back-room negotiations with their European Parliament groupings throughout this week.
The decision to vote in favour of the non-binding resolution also includes a condemnation of the obstruction of humanitarian aid to Gaza by the Israeli government, for a permanent ceasefire and for Hamas to release Israeli hostages.
It took place during a vote at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, today, and after significant back-room negotiations between MEPs throughout this week's session.
The vote of 720 MEPs resulted in 305 voting in favour of the decision, 151 against, and 122 MEPs abstaining on voting, and 140 not attending the ballot.
Specifically, MEPs agreed to a non-binding resolution to be sent to the European Council requesting that the EU "considers recognising the state of Palestine" with a view to achieving a "two state solution" between Palestine and Israel.
The non-binding nature of the request means the council is not compelled to take the step to recognise the state of Palestine unless it separately votes and agrees to do so.
Nine of Ireland's 14 MEPs voted in favour of the final wording.
Sinn Féin's Kathleen Funchion abstained as she believed the resolution did not go far enough, while Sinn Féin's Lynn Boylan, Independent Ciaran Mullooly, Independent Luke Ming Flanagan and Fianna Fáil's Billy Kelleher did not vote as legitimate scheduling clashes meant they were not in attendance.
A number of European Parliament groups, including the Socialists and Democrats group and The Left group, among others, had also tabled amendments asking for the terms "genocide" and "man-made famine" to be included in any non-binding resolution.
However, these amendments were voted down during discussions and did not make the final text of the resolution.
Of Ireland's 14 MEPs, all four Fine Gael MEPs voted in favour, as did the three Fianna Fáil MEPs in attendance, Labour's Aodhán Ó Ríordáin and Ms Funchion, while Independent MEP Michael McNamara abstained.
The amendment referencing "genocide" - amendment 27 1a - stated that the European Parliament "recognises and denounces that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza; asserts the EU's legal responsibility under international law to cease all forms of assistance that enable genocide; and recalls that complicity may entail state responsibility and individual liability".
The calls for and the rejection of the word genocide to be included in the final wording of the resolution again underlines divisions in the European Parliament over the issue.
The 720-seat European Parliament includes 235 MEPs from groups who could be considered left or left-leaning, including the S&Ds (136), The Left (46) and the Greens (53).
However, there are also 187 MEPs from right-wing groups, including ECR (78), the Patriots (84) and Europe of Sovereign Nations (25).
While there are 32 Independent MEPs unaligned to any grouping, the split means there is increasing focus on Renew, of which Fianna Fáil, as well as Independents Mr McNamara and Mr Mullooly, are members (77) and the European People's Party (188), which includes Fine Gael and is the largest political group in the European Parliament.
The EPP in particular is a wide-reaching group including centrist, conservative and right-leaning political parties, a situation that has placed Fine Gael's MEPs in the spotlight in relation to votes on Gaza, Palestine and Israel.
After significant back-room discussions this week, EPP MEPs, including those in Fine Gael, were allowed a free vote on today's resolution and amendments.
The resolution vote follows European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's comments in her annual state of the union address yesterday.
During this address, President von der Leyen - who is a member of the EPP - said she wants to see a partial suspension of the EU-Israel association agreement and sanctions on what she described as "extremist ministers" in Israel and "violent settlers", before adding that she "remains a friend to Israel".
Speaking to RTÉ News in Strasbourg, Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews said while the final wording of the resolution is "not as strong as I would have wanted", it remains "a big step in the right direction".
He added on social media site X that "this resolution is progress but more of my colleagues must open their eyes to the reality that what is happening in Gaza is textbook genocide."
Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh said: "With President von der Leyen's proposals in her state of the union address and this resolution from parliament we have seen a shift in the EU position on Gaza this week, a position that is close to that of the Irish Government and the people."
However, she added, "Ultimately, I feel that the resolution which was passed today falls short of what is needed. It falls short of the leadership Irish people are demanding from the European Parliament, and it falls short of accurately reflecting the brutal humanitarian situation on the ground in Gaza."
Ms Funchion told RTÉ's European Parliament Report programme that while the resolution is a step forward, it did not go far enough and that in her view the term "genocide" must be included in any comments on what is happening in Gaza.
