Free Republic

Hamas has declared victory after Sir Keir Starmer announced that the UK formally recognises Palestine as a state. The Prime Minister announced the decision in a video message on Sunday afternoon at the same time that Canada and Australia also recognised Palestinian statehood. He said: “Let’s be frank. Hamas is a brutal terror organisation. Our call for a genuine two-state solution is the exact opposite of their hateful vision. We are clear this solution is not a reward for Hamas, because it means Hamas can have no future, no role in government, no role in security.” The move means that...

There was an estimated 120,000 people at the 1916 commemorative parade in Dublin today. In a formal ceremony outside the GPO at noon, the President and the Taoiseach listened to a reading of the Proclamation and observe a minute's silence. Ms McAleese laid a wreath in honour of those who died in 1916. The President then took the salute as 2,500 members of all branches of the defence forces paraded in the capital. It included the reserve force, and members of both the Organisation of National Ex-servicemen and the UN veterans' association. The parade also included representatives of An Garda...