Planning is underway to have the Palestinian president visit Ireland to deliver an historic address to members of the Oireachtas.
Ceann Comhairle Séan Ó Fearghaíl has made contact with the Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland to explore the possibility of having Mahmoud Abbas speak in the Dáil after Ireland’s formal recognition of Palestine earlier this year.
A visit by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky is also on the cards in the coming months with a formal invite being sent out this week.
At a meeting of the Business Committee last week it was decided to ask Mr Abbas to address politicians in Leinster House. However, Mr Ó Fearghaíl has strongly ruled out extending a similar initiation to Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
“I wouldn’t contemplate for a minute inviting that man anywhere to anything. I think he’s a leading part of an enormous, murderous campaign which revolts the Irish people, revolts us here in Leinster House.