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Spain, Ireland and Norway recognise Palestinian statehood

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares, Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide and Ireland’s Foreign Minister Micheal Martin gesture after a press conference in Brussels, Belgium May 27, 2024.REUTERS/Johanna Geron 

Spain, Ireland, and Norway officially recognized a Palestinian state on Tuesday, eliciting a strong reaction from Israel, which finds itself increasingly isolated after more than seven months of conflict in Gaza. The governments of Madrid, Dublin, and Oslo stated that their decision aims to expedite efforts to secure a ceasefire in Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza. These countries expressed hope that their recognition would encourage other European Union members to follow suit.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, in a televised address, stated, “It’s the only way of advancing toward what everyone recognizes as the only possible solution to achieve a peaceful future, one of a Palestinian state that lives side by side with the Israeli state in peace and security.” Sanchez confirmed Spain’s recognition of a unified Palestinian state, including the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, under the Palestinian National Authority, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares noted that with this move, 146 of the 193 United Nations member states now recognize a Palestinian state.

The Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the West Bank under Israeli military occupation, welcomed this decision. Sanchez also asserted that Madrid would not recognize any changes to the pre-1967 borders unless agreed upon by both parties.

Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs announced last week that it would upgrade its representative office in Ramallah in the West Bank to an embassy, appoint an ambassador, and elevate the status of the Palestinian mission in Ireland to an embassy. Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris stated, “We had wanted to recognize 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.”

Israel has condemned this decision, arguing that it strengthens Hamas, the militant Islamist group responsible for the deadly October 7 attack on Israel, which triggered the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz responded on X, stating, “Sanchez, when you… recognize a Palestinian state, you are complicit in incitement to genocide against the Jewish people and in war crimes.”

Among the 27 European Union members, Sweden, Cyprus, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Romania, and Bulgaria have already recognized a Palestinian state. Slovenia is expected to approve recognition on Thursday, and Malta has indicated it may follow. While Britain and Australia are considering recognition, France has stated that now is not the time, and Germany, along with Israel’s staunchest ally, the United States, opposes a unilateral approach, insisting that a two-state solution can only be achieved through dialogue. Denmark’s parliament recently voted down a bill to recognize a Palestinian state.

Norway, which chairs the international donor group to the Palestinians, had until recently aligned with the U.S. position but has since lost confidence in this strategy. According to a poll by the Real Instituto Elcano, the number of Spaniards supporting a two-state solution has risen from 40% in 2021 to 60% in April, reflecting traditional Spanish sympathy toward the Palestinian cause.

Kushtrim Istrefi, a law professor at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, suggested that this recognition is part of a broader effort by countries to coordinate pressure on Israel to end the Gaza conflict. He noted, “We may see in the future another wave of recognition. The more recognitions Palestine achieves, the more we move towards a reality where a two-state solution from an international law standpoint becomes a reality.”

The conflict has resulted in over 36,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Israel reports that the October 7 attack, the deadliest in its 75-year history, killed 1,200 people, with over 250 hostages taken.

Falastin Al-Mansi, a displaced Palestinian in Deir al-Balah in Gaza, expressed gratitude, saying, “We are happy with the three countries that are standing with us and that have recognized us, the Palestinian State. We hope that you will put more pressure on Israel because we have had enough.”

In response to the recognition, Israel has recalled its ambassadors from Madrid, Oslo, and Dublin and summoned the three countries’ ambassadors to view videos of Israelis being taken hostage by Hamas gunmen. Sanchez, seeking to ease tensions, condemned Hamas and called for the release of hostages, asserting, “It is not a decision we take against anyone, certainly not against Israel. We want to have the best possible relationship.”

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