Ireland was one of the European Union states that voted Yes on November 29, 2012 in support of Palestinian non-member observer state status at the UN. Irish Foreign Minister Eamon Gilmore stated “Ireland has long championed the cause of Palestinian statehood, as well as the vital importance for the entire Middle East region of a comprehensive peace settlement based on two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security.” He added, that the vote “represents an important step for the Palestinian people on their path towards full statehood, as well as for all those who look forward to the day when Palestine can rightfully take its place as a full member of the United Nations.”
By Joseph Puder
Earlier in November, Foreign Minister Gilmore had announced that Ireland would initiate a boycott of Israeli products made by Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria. This move came in advance of Ireland assuming the presidency of the European Union in January 2013. Ireland, in recent years, has become one of the most anti-Israel countries in Europe; with regular boycott initiatives and harsh expressions of anti-Israel sentiment in the press, government, etc. that border on anti-Semitism.
