The leaders of Norway, Ireland and Spain have announced that their countries will formally recognise Palestine as a state.
They added that each of the three countries will formally enact recognition of a Palestinian state on May 28, 2024.
Norway’s Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Store said that a two-state solution was in Israel’s best interest.
He added that there cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition.
“In the midst of a war, with tens of thousands killed and injured [in Gaza], we must keep alive the only alternative that offers a political solution for Israelis and Palestinians alike: Two states, living side by side, in peace and security.
“Recognition of Palestine is a means of supporting the moderate forces which have been losing ground in this protracted and brutal conflict. This could ultimately make it possible to resume the process towards achieving a two-state solution and give it renewed momentum.”
Jonas Gahr Store
Shortly after Norway’s announcement, Ireland’s Taoiseach (Prime Minister), Simon Harris said at a news conference in Dublin, that his country would also recognise a Palestinian state.
“It is a statement of unequivocal support for a two-state solution, the only credible path to peace and security for Israel, for Palestine and for their peoples,” he said.
He stated that the three countries will undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision.
“I’m confident that further countries will join us in taking this important step in the coming weeks,” he added.
Additionally, Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez said that the country’s council of ministers would also recognise an independent Palestinian state.
Speaking in the Spanish parliament, Sanchez accused his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu of putting the two-state solution in “danger” with his policy of “pain and destruction” in Gaza.
“We are going to recognise Palestine for many reasons and we can sum that up in three words – peace, justice and consistency. We have to make sure that the two-state solution is respected and there must be mutual guarantees of security.”
Pedro Sanchez
Hussein al-Sheikh, the Secretary-General of the executive committee of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), hailed the three leaders’ decision.
He posted on X, “Historical moments in which the free world triumphs for truth and justice after long decades of Palestinian national struggle, suffering, pain, occupation, racism, murder, oppression, abuse and destruction to which the people of Palestine were subjected.”
“We thank the countries of the world that have recognized and will recognize the independent State of Palestine,” al-Sheikh added.
Hamas also called the decision by the three European countries an “important step.”
Israel Recalls Ambassadors To Ireland And Norway
In reaction to the news, Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz instructed the immediate recall of Israel’s Ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for consultations.
“Today, I am sending a sharp message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not go over this in silence,” Katz said in a statement, adding that he planned to do the same with the Israeli Ambassador to Spain.
He accused Ireland and Norway of sending a message that “terrorism pays.”
He stressed that recognition would impede efforts to return hostages held in Gaza and made a ceasefire less likely by “rewarding the jihadists of Hamas and Iran.”
“This distorted step by these countries is an injustice to the memory of the victims of 7/10, a blow to efforts to return the 128 hostages, and a boost to Hamas and Iran’s jihadists, which undermines the chance for peace and questions Israel’s right to self-defence.”
Israel Katz
Stating that his country will not be deterred, Katz said, “We are determined to achieve our goals: restoring security to our citizens, dismantling Hamas, and bringing the hostages home. There are no more just causes than these.”
READ ALSO: Russia Bares Teeth At Ukraine’s Allies
