Spain, Norway, and Ireland made a historic decision on Tuesday to formally recognize a Palestinian state, marking a significant move by three Western European nations to increase international pressure on Israel. The decision comes in response to Israel’s devastating response to a Hamas-led attack last year, which has resulted in ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced the decision in a televised address from Madrid, stating that the goal of the recognition is to help Israelis and Palestinians achieve peace. However, Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz condemned the move, accusing Spain of inciting genocide against Jews and war crimes.
Ireland and Norway quickly followed Spain’s lead in formalizing their decision to recognize Palestine, with the Palestinian flag being raised in Dublin outside the Irish parliament. Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris emphasized the importance of supporting a two-state solution and keeping hope alive for peace in the region.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide also expressed the significance of Norway’s recognition of Palestine, highlighting the country’s longstanding advocacy for a Palestinian state.
The decision by these three European countries to recognize Palestine is seen as a victory for Palestinian efforts in the court of public opinion and is likely to put pressure on other European Union heavyweights, such as France and Germany, to reconsider their stance on the issue.
The formal recognition of a Palestinian state by Spain, Norway, and Ireland has sparked diplomatic disputes with Israel and calls for potential sanctions against the country. The EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has expressed support for the International Criminal Court’s efforts to seek arrest warrants against Israeli leaders.
The recognition of a Palestinian state by these European nations comes amid ongoing conflict in the region, with Israel’s continued attacks in Gaza and the need for a lasting ceasefire and humanitarian aid. The move signals a shift in the international community’s approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and could have far-reaching implications for future peace negotiations.