Norway, Ireland and Spain are formally recognising Palestine as a state
Copenhagen: Norway, Ireland and Spain are formally recognising Palestine as a state, their leaders said in coordinated announcements on Wednesday.
“There cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition,” Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said.
He said the Scandinavian country would recognise a Palestinian state as of May 28.
Two-state recognition: Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.Credit: AP
Several European Union countries have in the past weeks indicated that they planned to make the recognition, arguing a two-state solution is essential for lasting peace in the region.
Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said it was a move coordinated with Spain and Norway, “an historic and important day for Ireland and for Palestine”. He said the move was intended to help move the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to resolution through a two-state solution.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said his country would also recognise Palestine as a state on May 28. Sánchez, Spain’s Socialist leader since 2018, made the expected announcement to the nation’s parliament.
Sánchez has spent months touring European and Middle Eastern countries to garner support for the recognition of Palestine, as well as a possible ceasefire in Gaza. He has said several times that he was committed to the move.
Earlier this month, Spain’s Foreign Minister José Albares said he had informed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken of his government’s intention of recognising Palestine.
Norway which is not a member of the European Union but mirrors its moves, has been an ardent supporter of a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.
“The terror has been committed by Hamas and militant groups who are not supporters of a two-state solution and the state of Israel,” Støre said.
“Palestine has a fundamental right to an independent state.”
Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz reacted angrily to the news, ordering Israeli ambassadors in Ireland and Norway to immediately return home.
“Ireland and Norway intend to send a message today to the Palestinians and the whole world: terrorism pays,” Katz said.
He said that the recognition could impede efforts to return Israel’s hostages being held in Gaza and made a ceasefire less likely by “rewarding the jihadists of Hamas and Iran”.
Slovenia and Malta have also indicated in recent weeks that they plan to make the recognition.
The announcements come as a mounting death toll in Gaza from Israel’s offensive to rout Hamas prompts calls globally for a ceasefire and lasting solution for peace in the region.
Since 1988, 139 out of 193 UN member states have recognised Palestinian statehood.
The Irish government has said recognition would complement peace efforts and support a two-state solution.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry has earlier warned against the move, saying in a post on social media platform X that recognition would “lead to more terrorism, instability in the region and jeopardise any prospects for peace”.
“Don’t be a pawn in the hands of Hamas,” the ministry said.
Hamas holds around 125 hostages seized during its cross-border rampage on October 7, which killed 1200 people, according to Israeli tallies, and triggered the war. Gaza medical officials say more than 35,000 have been killed during the Israeli offensive.
More to come
AP, Reuters