Ireland, Norway, and Spain Formally Recognize Palestinian State

Dublin, Oslo, Madrid – In a historic move, Ireland, Norway, and Spain have announced their formal recognition of a Palestinian state, effective today. This decision, coordinated among the three nations, signifies a strong stance in favor of peace and the two-state solution amid the protracted Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Both Ireland and Spain clarified that their decision is neither an anti-Israel stance nor an endorsement of Hamas, but rather a commitment to fostering peace. “This is an investment in the only solution that can bring lasting peace in the Middle East,” stated Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, emphasizing support for moderate forces in the conflict.

Irish Foreign Minister Micheál Martin echoed this sentiment, highlighting the equal right to security, dignity, and self-determination for both Palestinian and Israeli peoples. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez reinforced that the recognition is a move for peace and coexistence, not against Israel or Jews.

The Palestinian Authority (PA), which administers parts of the West Bank, praised the recognition as an affirmation of justice long overdue.

Israel responded with anger to the recognition announcements. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz recalled the country’s ambassadors from all three nations for consultations and warned of “serious consequences.” Katz also summoned the ambassadors of Ireland, Norway, and Spain for reprimand talks, aiming to highlight the severity of the situation by showing them footage of the October 7 abductions of Israeli soldiers by Hamas.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the recognition as a “prize for terrorism,” asserting that the creation of a Palestinian state would threaten Israel’s security and potentially lead to more violence akin to the October 7 attacks.

Hamas, governing Gaza and currently in conflict with Israel, hailed the announcements as a significant shift in international support for the Palestinian cause. Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas figure, attributed the move to the “brave resistance” of the Palestinian people.

The Palestinian Authority (PA), which administers parts of the West Bank, praised the recognition as an affirmation of justice long overdue. The PA sees this as a critical step toward achieving their statehood aspirations.

This recognition by Ireland, Norway, and Spain comes at a time of heightened tensions and ongoing conflict in the region. It aligns with a broader international sentiment where a majority of United Nations members already recognize the state of Palestine. The U.S. and several European nations, however, maintain that statehood should result from direct negotiations as part of a comprehensive two-state solution.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to worsen, with the UN recently halting food distribution in Rafah due to security concerns and supply shortages. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant civilian casualties and exacerbated humanitarian crises, drawing international calls for a renewed focus on peace efforts.

Norwegian Prime Minister Støre expressed hope that the recognition would invigorate stalled peace negotiations and contribute to a sustainable resolution. The international community remains divided on the approach to Palestinian statehood, but the latest developments underscore a growing impatience with the status quo and a desire for renewed dialogue.