Ireland upgrades Palestinian mission to embassy

Ireland became the first European Union member to upgrade its Palestinian diplomatic mission to an embassy.

The head of the Palestinian mission will become an ambassador in Dublin and will present his credentials to the Irish president, according to Ynet.

The upgrade reportedly does not mean that Ireland has recognized a Palestinian state.

Israeli officials are worried that other European countries will do the same. Spain, Belgium and several Scandinavian countries are expected to announce their unilateral recognition of an independent Palestinian state, as eight Latin Ameircan countries have done in the past six weeks.

“Israel expresses its regret over the step adopted by Ireland, although it is not surprised by it considering Ireland’s biased policy regarding the conflict over the years,” Israel’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement, according to Army Radio.