Norway, Ireland, and Spain have announced their formal recognition of Palestine as a state, a move aimed at fostering peace in the Middle East.
The decision has prompted Israel to recall its envoys in response, according to Al Jazeera.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre stated on Wednesday that recognizing Palestinian statehood, effective from May 28, aligns with a two-state solution that serves Israel’s best interests.
“There cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition,” he asserted in Oslo.
In Dublin, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris echoed this sentiment, joined by Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who received applause in parliament for his announcement.
Sánchez criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies in Gaza, stating they jeopardize the two-state solution and calling for a ceasefire. He expressed hope that other Western nations would follow suit in recognizing Palestine.
Harris emphasized Ireland’s recognition of Israel’s right to exist securely and in peace, condemning Hamas while advocating for a two-state solution as the only way to end cycles of violence and resentment.
The decision comes amid a devastating conflict, with over 35,000 people killed and nearly 80,000 wounded in Gaza since October 7, and over 1,100 Israelis killed in the initial Hamas attack, with dozens still held captive.
Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Turkey have welcomed the recognition, while France suggested it might not be the right moment but did not rule out the possibility.
The White House reiterated President Joe Biden’s stance that direct negotiations are the best approach but acknowledged each country’s right to make its own decision.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu condemned the move, calling it a “prize for terrorism” and warning that a recognized Palestinian state could perpetuate attacks similar to those on October 7. He claimed 80 percent of Palestinians in the West Bank support the recent Hamas attacks on Israel.
The recognition by Norway, Ireland, and Spain is set to take effect on May 28.
