Norway, Ireland, and Spain have announced their intention to recognize a Palestinian state, a decision that could have far-reaching implications for the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
On Wednesday, the leaders of these three European nations made their intentions clear. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, and Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris all stated that their respective countries will recognize a Palestinian state.
Norway and Spain plan to take this step on May 28th, while Ireland’s leader did not specify a timeline but confirmed his nation’s commitment to recognizing Palestine as a state.
Israel’s response was swift and decisive. The Israeli government immediately recalled its ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for “urgent consultations,” signaling its displeasure with the move.
Foreign Minister Israel Katz issued a stern warning, stating that “Israel will not go over this in silence.” He also indicated that the Spanish ambassador would face a similar recall.
The Israeli foreign ministry went a step further, posting a video message on the social media platform X, cautioning Ireland that recognizing a Palestinian state would “only fuel extremism and instability” and risk turning the country into “a pawn in the hands of Iran and Hamas.”
The leaders of Norway, Ireland, and Spain cited various reasons for their decision to recognize a Palestinian state.
Norway’s Prime Minister Store emphasized the need to support “moderate voices” and 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.”
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Spain’s Sanchez accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of putting the two-state solution “in danger” with his policies of “pain and destruction” in the Gaza Strip.
Ireland’s Harris hailed the move as a “historic and important day for Ireland and for Palestine.”
The recognition of a Palestinian state has long been seen as the endgame of the peace process between Palestinians and Israelis. While the United States and most Western European nations have previously expressed a willingness to recognize Palestinian statehood, they have conditioned it on the resolution of complex issues like borders and the status of Jerusalem.
However, the recent escalation of violence in the region, including the October 7th Hamas attack and Israel’s retaliatory campaign in Gaza, has prompted some nations to reconsider their stance.
In 2014, Sweden became the first EU member in Western Europe to recognize Palestinian statehood, and six other European countries had previously done so as well.
The decisions by Norway, Ireland, and Spain to recognize a Palestinian state could potentially add momentum to the push for a two-state solution and influence the broader diplomatic landscape in the Middle East.
