SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has welcomed the Irish Government’s formal recognition of Palestine as a state today.

The SDLP Leader wrote to Britain’s Foreign Secretary this month ahead of a crucial United Nations General Assembly resolution recognising that Palestine meets the criteria for admission to the UN. He urged David Cameron to endorse the recognition of the state of Palestine as a necessary step toward a two-state solution.

Colum Eastwood MP said:

“I welcome and strongly endorse the decision of the Irish Government to recognise the state of Palestine today. Following an important vote by the United Nations General Assembly earlier in the month, this generates further momentum toward recognition of Palestine and a durable two-state solution to conflict in the region.

“A sustainable peace must begin with recognition of the legitimate aspirations and rights of both peoples in the eyes of the international community. A peace process, as far off as that may feel right now, will only succeed if the people of Israel and Palestine are equal partners. Today’s decision is an honest reflection of that unavoidable truth.

“I sincerely hope that this act of recognition will be followed in other capitals in the time ahead. The international community has been slow to address the horrors inflicted on the people of Gaza following the inhumanity of the Hamas attacks. Now is the time to escalate efforts for peace.”