Taoiseach Simon Harris has tried to dampen down a diplomatic row with President of Israel Isaac Herzog and said he has "less than zero interest in getting involved into some sort of back and forth" over what was said in a phone conversation between the two men last Friday.
Sources close to the Israeli President told RTÉ News last night that Mr Herzog warned Mr Harris that unilateral recognition of Palestine could jeopardise any hope of Hamas releasing the hostages it continues to hold in Gaza and encourage further attacks on Israel.
Speaking in Longford this afternoon, the Taoiseach contended that Ireland's plan to recognise the State of Palestine before the end of the month was not unilateral and said: "Ireland is working with a number of like-minded countries in relation to this.
"I expect more to move in the coming days, I expect more to move in the coming weeks."
Asked if the Irish move could lead to a break in diplomatic relations with Israel, Mr Harris said: "Certainly Ireland doesn't wish to sever diplomatic relations. You can strongly disagree with a country. You can differentiate between the government of a country and the people of a country."
He repeated that Ireland's position on Gaza is "very straightforward and very consistent and said "we need to see an immediate cessation of violence, we need to see unimpeded and unhindered access to humanitarian aid because there is a humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in front of our eyes".
Regarding Ireland's plan to recognise the State of Palestine, he said: "We need to see a two-state solution. In order to see a two-state solution and to help bring one about you have to recognise the very existence of two states. In the coming days Ireland intends to do just that."
However, Mr Harris added that a date has yet to be decided.
"There is important sequencing that our country and other countries have to carry out. I mean political processes that have to be followed and they differ slightly from country to country. The specific date will be decided in the coming days," he said.
Israeli concerns
This afternoon, a spokesperson for the Israeli Embassy in Dublin said that during their conversation, Mr Herzog "reiterated Israel's concerns regarding a unilateral recognition, which would create more questions than answers: What would Ireland be recognising, since Gaza is under Hamas rule? How does it help the Palestinians in Gaza?".
The spokesperson added: "What signal does it send to Hamas, following the brutal attacks on October 7 and thereafter?
"In addition, such a step is feared to jeopardise any hope of Hamas releasing the 129 kidnapped individuals they are still holding."
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Earlier, a spokesperson for the Taoiseach said in a statement: "The Taoiseach and President Herzog had a firm and respectful conversation on Friday. Some of the content of the anonymous briefing to RTÉ does not accurately reflect the content of the conversation."
The statement added that the Taoiseach used the opportunity to again call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and unhindered access for aid to deal with the humanitarian disaster there.
It said: "The Taoiseach informed President Herzog of Ireland's plan to recognise the state of Palestine and reiterated that the overarching goal should be a two-state solution.
"Ireland has always unequivocally called for Hamas to release Israeli hostages without conditions."
The statement concluded that the Taoiseach "... finds the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding [in Gaza] to be repugnant to human rights and international law. Ireland will continue to speak out on this and convey the clear view that the violence must end, a ceasefire is required and humanitarian aid must be allowed to flow."
Meanwhile, opposition TDs have called on the Government to hold the line in the face of diplomatic pressure from Israel urging Ireland to reverse its plans to recognise Palestinian statehood.
However, they have said the Government should go further.
Sinn Féin foreign affairs spokesperson Matt Carthy said the recognition of Palestine was long overdue.
"The Dáil voted ten years ago to recognise Palestine and unfortunately Irish Governments have been too slow to enact that," he said.
He said the Government had been very strong on vocalising the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza but he said the Government should take measures to sanction Israel for its violation of international law.
Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon said recognition should have been done long ago but the Government should also look at trade sanctions against Israel.
He said what was happening in Gaza was an "abomination" with "2000lb bombs being dropped on villages, Rafah is under siege, the last stronghold of civilians and sanctuary.
Mr Gannon added Ireland should be able to express solidarity without Israel suggesting there would be a fallout.
Additional reporting: Teresa Mannion, Sandra Hurley
