In a historic move that sparked celebration among the Palestinians and criticism from Israel, Norway, Ireland, and Spain announced on Wednesday that they are recognizing a state for Palestine. Israel sent back its ambassadors from Ireland and Norway right away.
It was an announcement cascade of lightning. The first country to declare that “peace in the Middle East is impossible if there is no recognition” was Norway, with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store.
According to Gahr Store, on May 28, the Nordic nation will formally acknowledge the establishment of a Palestinian state. He declared, “Norway supports the Arab peace plan by recognizing a Palestinian state.”
In recent weeks, a number of European Union nations have declared their intention to recognize the other, claiming that a two-state solution is necessary for enduring peace in the area. The move might accelerate the process of other EU nations recognizing a Palestinian state and lead to other UN resolutions, further isolating Israel.
A two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians enjoys the fervent support of Norway, a country that does not belong to the EU but emulates its policies.
The head of the Norwegian government declared, “Hamas and militant groups who are not supporters of a two-state solution and the state of Israel have committed the terror.” “The right of Palestine to exist as an independent state is fundamental.”
The action was taken in response to Israeli troops’ attacks on the Gaza Strip’s northern and southern borders in May, which resulted in a fresh departure of hundreds of thousands of civilians and severely curtailed relief supplies, increasing the possibility of hunger.
According to Gahr Store , the Nordic nation “will therefore regard Palestine as an independent state with all the rights and obligations that entails.”
It stated that in 2011, the World Bank concluded that the Palestinian state had fulfilled essential requirements to operate as a state, and that the country’s institutions had grown to the point where they could offer essential services to the populace.
The Norwegian government declared that “the situation in Palestine is more difficult than it has been in decades” due to the conflict in Gaza and the ongoing growth of illegal settlements in the West Bank.
The declaration was made by Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris on Wednesday as well. He described the day as “an historic and important day for Ireland and for Palestine” and said it was a concerted effort with Spain and Norway. According to him, the action was taken to facilitate the two-state solution that would assist end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
According to Harris, “in the weeks ahead,” more nations will likely follow Norway, Spain, and Ireland in recognizing the state of Palestine.
On May 28, the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, declared that his nation would likewise acknowledge the state of Palestine. The anticipated announcement was made to the Spanish Parliament on Wednesday by Sánchez, who has led the country’s socialist movement since 2018.
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For months, Sánchez has been traveling throughout Europe and the Middle East in an effort to win support for both a potential truce in Gaza and the establishment of a Palestinian state. He has often declared his commitment to the change.
“This initiative, we believe, will give the Palestinians two things that are very important for their present and their future: dignity and hope,” Sánchez said. “We know that this initiative won’t bring back the past and the lives lost in Palestine.”
Sánchez continued, “This recognition is not against anyone, it is not against the Israeli people,” but he conceded that it will probably lead to diplomatic problems with Tel Aviv. “It is a morally consistent, peaceful, and just act.”
Sánchez stated that the action is necessary to maintain the possibility of a two-state solution, which he claimed “is in serious danger” as a result of the Gaza War.
“Despite the legitimacy of the fight against Hamas, I have spent weeks and months speaking with leaders inside and outside of the region, and if one thing is clear, it is that Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu does not have a project of peace for Palestine,” the leader of Spain declared.
José Albares, the foreign minister of Spain, stated earlier this month that his country had told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken that it intended to recognize a state for Palestine.
Israel denounced the rapidly advancing events.
Israel’s ambassadors to Norway and Ireland were told to return to Israel right away by Foreign Minister Israel Katz, since Norway had declared that it would recognize a Palestinian state and Ireland was anticipated to follow suit.
“Today, Ireland and Norway want to tell the Palestinians and the world that terrorism is profitable,” Katz stated.
He claimed that by “rewarding the jihadists of Hamas and Iran,” the recognition would make a cease-fire less probable and hinder efforts to return Israel’s hostages who are being detained in Gaza. In addition, he threatened to remove Israel’s ambassador from Spain should that nation adopt a similar stance.
Mahmoud Abbas, the president of Palestine, praised Norway for recognizing the state of Palestine and urged other nations to do the same.
Abbas stated that Norway’s decision will uphold “the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination” and aid in the pursuit of a two-state solution with Israel in a statement that was quoted by the official Wafa news agency.