The leaders of Norway, Ireland and Spain have announced that they will recognize a Palestinian state, in a historic move on May 22, Wednesday.
Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said that the announcement of the recognition was coordinated with Spain and Norway, in what he described as a “historic and important day for Palestine.” Ireland’s recognition would take effect formally on May 28.
Similarly, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez made a similar announcement, saying that Spain will recognize an independent Palestinian state on May 28. ““We know that this initiative won’t bring back the past and the lives lost in Palestine, but we believe that it will give the Palestinians two things that are very important for their present and their future: dignity and hope,” Sánchez said. He added that “this recognition is not against anyone, it is not against the Israeli people… It is an act in favor of peace, justice and moral consistency.”
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre claimed that there “cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition.” He added in a press conference that “the terror has been committed by Hamas and militant groups who are not supporters of a two-state solution and the state of Israel… Palestine has a fundamental right to an independent state.”
The European states’ initiative to recognize a Palestinian state is based off the assertion that a two-state solution is essential for sustainable peace in the Middle East. Experts expect the simultaneous announcements to generate momentum for the recognition of a Palestinian state by other EU countries and deepen Israel’s isolation.
The development comes against the backdrop of widespread international outrage over the civilian death toll and humanitarian crisis in Gaza due to Israel’s military campaign.
Israel has announced an immediate recall of its ambassadors from Norway and Ireland, with foreign minister Israel Katz stating that “Israel will not remain silent in the face of those undermining its sovereignty and endangering its security.”