Irish upgrade Palestinian status; will UK follow?
9:20 am - January 26th 2011
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Ireland is upgrading its diplomatic relations with the Palestinian territories in recognition of progress being made by the Palestinian Authority, officials told the press yesterday.
In the dying days of the current government, it was confirmed after a Cabinet meeting yesterday that the Palestinian diplomatic representation will now be known as the Palestinian “mission,” instead of the previous Palestinian “delegation.”
The move stops short of granting full diplomatic privileges and immunities, but is still a step forward. Similar moves have been announced in recent months by Spain, France and Portugal.
The British government is still holding out, though the Ha’aretz reports that the UK, Sweden, Belgium, Finland, Germany and Denmark are expected to follow.
Naturally the Israeli government accused the Irish of being biased, saying:
We are not surprised by this move in light of the Ireland’s longstanding slanted policy with regards to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.
On Monday, Peru announced it had officially recognised the Palestinian state, joining Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Bolivia, Ecuador and Guyana.
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Sunny Hundal is editor of LC. Also: on Twitter, at Pickled Politics and Guardian CIF.
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Reader comments
I don’t think this is quite what you meant:
The British government is still holding out, though the Ha’aretz reports that the UK, Sweden, Belgium, Finland, Germany and Denmark are expected to follow
Just a thought 
The best time for the UK to have done this would have been immediately after an Israeli act against us, e.g. using forged British passports, or abducting British citizens from ships sailing in international waters.
@2
Um, no surely that would’ve been the worst time to do it. Looks petty & childish to recognise a state based on your troublesome dealings with its neighbours/occupiers. Far better to recognise it on its own merits.
The move stops short of granting full diplomatic privileges and immunities, but is still a step forward.
‘Step foreward’ needs to be explained.The Irish Taoiseach is totally discredited.
Why would his opinions on the middle east carry any weight?
My point was, who is taking any notice of Brian Cowan?
If you hardly know his name, then this thread is spurious to say the least.
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Liberal Conspiracy
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