Spain, Ireland and Norway yesterday formally recognized a Palestinian state in a coordinated decision slammed by Israel as a “reward” for Hamas, more than seven months into the devastating Gaza war.
The three European nations believe their initiative has strong symbolic impact that is likely to encourage others to follow suit.
After Dublin formally approved the measure, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said the aim was to keep Middle East peace hopes alive.
Photo: AFP
“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,” he said in a statement, urging Israel to “stop the humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza.
As Oslo’s recognition went into effect, Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide hailed the move as “a special day for Norway-Palestine relations.”
“For more than 30 years, Norway has been one of the strongest advocates for a Palestinian state. Today, when Norway officially recognizes Palestine as a state, is a milestone in the relationship between Norway and Palestine,” Eide said.
In Spain, after the Cabinet backed the move, Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs Jose Manuel Albares said it was a day that would be “etched in Spain’s history.”
Earlier, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that recognition was “essential” for peace, insisting the move was “not against anyone, least of all Israel,” and the only way to secure a future of two states living side by side “in peace and security.”
The decision also reflected Spain’s “outright rejection of Hamas, which is against the two-state solution.” and whose Oct. 7 attacks led to the Gaza war, he added.
The plans were unveiled last week by the prime ministers of the three countries, sparking a furious response from Israel and further exacerbating its diplomatic tensions, notably with Spain.
Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Israel Katz quickly lashed out at Spain on X, saying Sanchez’s government was “being complicit in inciting genocide against Jews and war crimes.”
While about 140 countries have recognized a Palestinian state — more than two-thirds of the UN — none of the major Western powers has done so.
Still, the adherence of three European countries to the group represents a victory for Palestinian efforts in the world of public opinion, and is likely to put pressure on EU heavyweights France and Germany to rethink their position.
Additional reporting by AP
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