By Khaleda Rahman
In a historic and co-ordinated move, Ireland, Spain and Norway announced they would recognize a Palestinian state on Wednesday.
The announcements come amid growing outrage over the civilian death toll and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip from Israel’s seven-month war, which has prompted global calls for a ceasefire and lasting solution for peace.
First, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced that Norway will officially recognize a Palestinian state as of May 28.
“The Norwegian Government has decided that Norway will recognize Palestine as a state,” Støre said. “In the midst of a war, with tens of thousands killed and injured, we must 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.”
The Palestinian people “have a fundamental, independent right to self-determination,” Støre said. “There will be no peace in the Middle East without a two-state solution. There mcan be no two-state solution without a Palestinian state.”
At a news conference on Wednesday mor ikning, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris announced Ireland’s recognition of Palestinian state, calling it “a historic and important day for Ireland and for Palestine.”
“Today, Ireland, Norway, and Spain are announcing that we recognize the state of Palestine,” Harris said at a press conference. “Each of us will now undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision.”
A two-state solution was the “the only credible path to peace and security,” Harris said. He added that he believes other countries will join Ireland, Norway and Spain in recognizing a Palestinian state in the coming weeks.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also announced that his country will recognize a Palestinian state on May 28.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz condemned the developments, and ordered Israel’s ambassadors from Ireland and Norway to immediately return to Israel.
“I’m sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the face of those undermining its sovereignty and endangering its security,” Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter.
He said Israel would recall its ambassador to Spain if the country followed Ireland and Norway in recognizing a Palestinian state.
Katz said that the recognition could hurt efforts to return Israel’s hostages being held in Gaza after Hamas’ October 7 attack, which triggered the war.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants crossed into southern Israel and killed some 1,200 people, taking 250 others hostage. About half were freed during a temporary ceasefire in November.
Over the past seven months, Israel’s offensive has killed at least 35,000 Palestinians in Gaza, The Associated Press has reported, citing Gaza health officials. Around 80 percent of the 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza have been displaced within the territory, often multiple times.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed Norway’s recognition of a Palestinian state.
The decision will enshrine “the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination” and support efforts to bring about a two-state solution with Israel, he said in a statement carried by the official Wafa news agency.
More than 140 of 193 United Nations member states have already recognized a Palestinian state, including many Middle Eastern, African and Asian countries, but not the U.S., the United Kingdom, Canada or much of western Europe.
The U.S. in April effectively prevented the U.N. from recognizing a Palestinian state by casting a veto in the Security Council to deny Palestinians full membership.
Source: Newsweek