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Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich holds a map of an area near the settlement of Maale Adumim in the West Bank

Israeli annexation in West Bank is 'red line', says UAE

Israeli moves to annexe parts of the occupied West Bank are a "red line" for the United Arab Emirates, one of the few Arab countries to recognise Israel, a senior official has said.

Middle East • 03 Sep

People wave Palestinian flags outside Croke Park during a protest against the GAA s connection to Allianz insurance

Call for GAA to drop Allianz as sponsor after OPT report

A number of prominent GAA stars have handed in an open letter and petition to management at Croke Park, calling on the association to drop Allianz insurance as a sponsor for GAA games.

Ireland • 20 Aug

David McCullagh and Fran McNulty talk with Sally Hayden on Behind the Story

Podcast: 'Unbelievable' level of suffering in Gaza

The deteriorating situation in Gaza has taken centre stage this week amid continued warnings of starvation in the Palestinian enclave.

Middle East • 29 Jul

Two men shaking hands with the French flag and Palestinian flag seen in the background on a stage

Israel, US reject French bid to recognise Palestine state

France intends to recognise a Palestinian state in September at the United Nations General Assembly, President Emmanuel Macron said in hopes of bringing peace to the region, but the plan has drawn angry reactions from Israel and the United States.

World • 25 Jul

Watch: Restaurants creating 'plates for Palestine'

More than 130 restaurants around Ireland are creating Palestinian-inspired dishes to raise money for charities working in Gaza.

Middle East • 24 Jul

Watch: GAA Palestine hopes to build pitch in West Bank

Ireland's native games have long fostered relationships with communities around the world.

Middle East • 23 Feb

Firefighters and rescue teams arrive at scene following an Israeli attack on Dahieh region in Beirut

Strikes intensify in Beirut as truce proposals expected

Israeli airstrikes pounded Beirut's Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs for a second consecutive day, as Lebanon waited to hear Washington's latest ceasefire proposals.

Middle East • 14 Nov 24

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said the Occupied Territories Bill could be enacted, but not quickly

AG advice could be used to 'undermine' bill - Martin

The Government is "prepared to go the full distance" on the Occupied Territories Bill, including through the European courts, Tánaiste Micheál Martin has insisted.

Middle East • 05 Nov 24

Fitch said human losses, additional military spending, and the destruction of infrastructure could further impact Israel's credit metrics

Fitch downgrades Israel's rating, citing war in Gaza

US credit rating agency Fitch has downgraded Israel a notch, warning that its ongoing conflict against Hamas in Gaza could last "well into 2025" and weigh on economic activity.

Business • 13 Aug 24

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, centre, with members of the Palestinian factions during the signing of the 'Beijing declaration'

Hamas signs 'national unity' deal with Palestinian rivals

Hamas has announced it had signed an agreement in Beijing with other Palestinian organisations, including rivals Fatah, to work together for "national unity", with China describing it as a deal to rule Gaza together once the war ends.

Middle East • 23 Jul 24

Valerie Tarazi is a member of the Palestinian team travelling to Paris.

Palestinian swimmer wants 'to stand for those who can't'

A Palestinian swimmer who will be competing in the Olympic Games in Paris says her goal is "to stand for those people who can't."

Middle East • 15 Jul 24

Rahaf Nasser hopes to continue her medical studies when the conflict ends

Watch: Gazan student sings to share hope for peace

A displaced medical student in Gaza has been playing music amid the rubble to entertain local children and share her hope for peace to the world.

World • 11 Jun 24

The Palestinian flag was raised at Leinster House last week

UN experts urge all countries to recognise Palestine

A group of United Nations experts has called for all countries to recognise a Palestinian state to ensure peace in the Middle East.

Middle East • 03 Jun 24

Palestinians are seen among the rubble of destroyed buildings as they return home after Israeli forces withdraw from Jabalia

US expects Israel to accept truce deal if Hamas agrees

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby has said that if Hamas agrees to this week's newly proposed deal to end the war in Gaza, the US expects Israel to also accept the plan.

Middle East • 02 Jun 24

The US military said that it had suspended aid deliveries via the pier after it was damaged

Cyprus says aid held off Gaza coast after pier damage

Cyprus has said humanitarian aid shipped to Gaza was being kept afloat off the Palestinian territory's coast after a US-built pier was damaged by bad weather.

Middle East • 30 May 24

Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob (C) speaks during the press conference in Ljubljana

Slovenian government set to recognise state of Palestine

The Slovenian government has approved a decision to recognise an independent Palestinian state, Prime Minister Robert Golob said, following in the steps of Ireland, Spain and Norway.

Middle East • 30 May 24

Demonstrators holding a Palestinian flag at a protest against Israel's war in Gaza

Malta to recognise Palestine when 'circumstances right'

Malta has said it will recognise the State of Palestine "when such recognition can make a positive contribution, and when the circumstances are right".

World • 06 Jun 24

The flag of Palestine being flown at Leinster House after Ireland formally recognised Palestinian statehood

Recognising Palestine is a 'hasty move' - Jewish council

The "majority" of Ireland's Jewish community believe the Government recognising the state of Palestine is "a very hasty move", according to the chairman of the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland.

Middle East • 28 May 24

As it happened: Ireland recognises State of Palestine

Ireland, Spain and Norway have formally recognised the State of Palestine.

Middle East • 28 May 24

Ibrahim Abu Shaban with his grandmother Bothaine Alashi in Gaza

'Strong symbol of hope' for Palestinians in Ireland

Palestinians living in Ireland have welcomed the formal recognition of the Palestinian state with Ireland, Spain and Norway all recognising Palestine from today.

Ireland • 28 May 24

The Palestinian flag was raised at Leinster House

Ireland recognises State of Palestine in 'powerful act'

Ireland has formally recognised the State of Palestine in what Taoiseach Simon Harris said was "an act of powerful, political and symbolic value".

Ireland • 29 May 24

Sonya McGuinness (R) pictured alongside the ambassadors from Spain and Norway during the meeting with Israeli officials yesterday

Ambassador subjected to 'unacceptable' treatment - Martin

Israel's reprimand of Ireland's ambassador was "totally unacceptable", Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said.

Middle East • 24 May 24

The Palestinian flag drawn in the sand at Kilmurrin Cove, Co Waterford (Courtesy: Sean Corcoran)

Palestinian flag drawn in the sand of Co Waterford cove

An artist has drawn a 500ft Palestinian flag in the sand at Kilmurrin Cove in Co Waterford.

Middle East • 22 May 24

Simon Harris spoke with President Isaac Herzog by telephone

Harris: No interest in 'back and forth' over Herzog call

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.

Ireland • 19 May 24

The Israeli military said a fighter jet and helicopter conducted the strike

Israeli strike kills Palestinian militant, wounds eight

A Palestinian militant was killed, and eight other people wounded in an Israeli air strike on the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry and Israeli military said.

World • 17 May 24