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GLOBAL LEADERS, INCLUDING the Taoiseach Micheál Martin, will descend on New York City this week for high-level discussions on the biggest global issues of our time, including the genocide taking place in Gaza.
The Taoiseach will be joined by Tánaiste Simon Harris at the 80th meeting of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), which is set to be dominated by recognition of the Palestinian state by a number of countries.
The first of the G7 countries, France, the UK, and Canada will recognise the state of Palestine on Monday, along with Australia, Belgium and Luxembourg.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously said he plans to recognise Palestinian statehood before the UN General Assembly if Israel does not meet a series of conditions to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The Irish government formally recognised the State of Palestine last May.
The summit comes at a pivotal time as international leaders ramp up the pressure on Israel to adhere to a ceasefire, with pressure also mounting on the US due to the support it is giving to the Israeli offensive against the Palestinian people.
The European Commission this week suspended its bilateral support for Israel, meaning it has frozen payments worth up to €32 million, citing the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The European Commission, led by President Ursula von der Leyen, also officially proposed the suspension of parts of the agreement that gives Israel special trade concessions in the EU market, although that measure’s adoption will still come down to a vote among member states.
Pushing for a ceasefire will be “a major priority” for the Irish government during UN Week in New York, the Tánaiste said during the week.
President Michael D Higgins said this week that Israel and its allies that are supporting what is happening in Gaza should be excluded from the UN.
However, the Irish government has distanced itself from the remarks, stating that this is not the official government position.
At the summit in New York, France and Saudi Arabia are set to host a conference on Israel and Palestine, with Ireland and Turkey co-chairing a working group on how to preserve the two-state solution objective.
Despite Palestine being top of the agenda this week, Palestinian officials will not be in attendance, due to the US state department’s decision during the summer to sanction Palestinian officials and denying them visas to attend.
At the General Debate — the annual meeting of Heads of State — world leaders, including the Taoiseach, will make statements outlining their positions and priorities in the context of global challenges, including Palestine.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will give his address, in person, on Friday where it is expected he will heavily criticise the UN.
The Taoiseach will also give his national address on Friday. He will also be holding a bilateral meeting with UN General Secretary António Guterres.
While the Taoiseach and Tánaiste will spend much of their time in New York, the Taoiseach will travel to Canada mid-week to meet with the Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada where the two leaders will discuss further trade links that can be established between the two countries.
Martin will also attend an event hosted by Carney and the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Advancing Peace in Ukraine through the return of Ukrainian children.
Speaking ahead of his trip, the Taoiseach said achieving progress for the Middle East will be a priority for the international community, stating that it is important that we use recent momentum in terms of recognition of Palestine to achieve an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, the delivery of humanitarian assistance and a definitive progress towards a lasting peace.
Ireland has provided over €82 million in humanitarian support for people in Palestine
since October 2023. Over €29 million of this has been provided so far in 2025.
Harris said it is a time where there is “unprecedented stress on the multilateral system”, but the UN High Level Week offers the “opportunity to engage with like-minded partners and, vitally, with partners with whom we don’t agree in order to try and resolve global issues”.
Harris will also travel to Washington DC where he will open the new Irish embassy on Pennsylvania Avenue, not far from the White House.
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