Spain, Norway and Ireland have announced formal recognition of the Palestinian state.
A cabinet vote approved the previously announced plan to recognise a Palestinian state.
Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez stated that the establishment of a Palestinian state is “the only route to peace” in the Middle East.
Spanish government spokesperson, Pilar Alegria announced that the cabinet had “adopted an important decision to recognise a Palestinian state”, which had “one objective: to help Israelis and Palestinians achieve peace.”
The Spanish Prime Minister called the move “a matter of historical justice.”
“The only route towards establishing peace is the establishment of a Palestinian state, living side by side with the state of Israel. The state of Palestine must be viable with the West Bank and Gaza connected by a corridor and with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
Pedro Sanchez
Sanchez averred that Madrid will not recognise any changes to pre-1967 borders unless agreed to by both parties.
The occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza Strip were part of the territory Israel seized in 1967 in the Arab-Israeli War.
Norway’s government also formally recognised the Palestinian state.
As the move went into effect, Norwegian Foreign Minister, Espen Barth Eide noted that Norway has been one of the most fervent defenders of a Palestinian state for more than 30 years.
“Norway’s recognition of Palestine as a state today represents a milestone in Norwegian-Palestinian relations,” Eide said in a statement.
“Norway’s recognition of Palestine as a state is a clear message of support to the moderate forces in both countries,” he added.
Ireland’s cabinet approved the Palestinian state’s formal recognition shortly after.
“The Government recognises Palestine as a sovereign and independent state and agreed to establish full diplomatic relations between Dublin and Ramallah,” it said.
It added, “An Ambassador of Ireland to the State of Palestine will be appointed along with a full Embassy of Ireland in Ramallah.”
Irish Prime Minister, Simon Harris said that Ireland’s decision “is about keeping hope alive.”
“It is about believing that a two-state solution is the only way for Israel and Palestine to live side by side in peace and security,” he said in a statement.
He added, “We had wanted to recognise Palestine at the end of a peace process however we have made this move alongside Spain and Norway to keep the miracle of peace alive.”
“This is an important moment and I think it sends a signal to the world that there are practical actions you can take as a country to help keep the hope and destination of a two-state solution alive at a time when others are trying to sadly bomb it into oblivion.”
Simon Harris
Harris also urged Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu to “listen to the world and stop the humanitarian catastrophe we are seeing in Gaza”.
Malta and Slovenia have suggested they will also take the same step of recognising Palestinian statehood, although not immediately.
Israel Levels Accusations At Spain
The announcements earned only fury from Israel, widening its disagreements with some European Union states over the continuing war in Gaza.
Israeli Foreign Minister, Israel Katz accused Spain’s Sanchez of being a “partner to incitement” of Jewish “genocide.”
Commenting on X, Katz drew a parallel between Spanish Second Deputy Prime Minister, Yolanda Diaz on the one hand and Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Hamas chief, Yahya Sinwar on the other after her call for a free Palestine “from the river to the sea”.
READ ALSO: Small-Scale Miners Demand Executive Resignation Over Mismanagement
