Ireland’s government was expected on Wednesday to move towards formally recognising a Palestinian state, media reports have said, AFP reports.

The European Union member’s leaders were scheduled to hold a news conference at 8:00 am after earlier signalling that Ireland would recognise Palestinian statehood by the end of the month.

National public broadcaster RTE and the Irish Times both reported that it was understood the decision to do so would be announced at the news conference.

The Israeli foreign ministry posted a video message addressed to Ireland on the social media platform X warning that “recognising a Palestinian state risks turning you into a pawn in the hands of Iran and Hamas”, adding the move would “only fuel extremism and instability”.

The expected announcement by Irish premier Simon Harris, deputy premier Micheal Martin and minister Eamon Ryan comes after Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said last week that he would announce on Wednesday a date for recognising a Palestinian state.

Sanchez said in March that Spain and Ireland, along with Slovenia and Malta, had agreed to take their first steps towards recognition of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, seeing a two-state solution as essential for lasting peace.