Spain, Ireland, and Norway have officially recognized a Palestinian state, drawing sharp criticism from Israel. This coordinated move comes over seven months into the Gaza conflict, which has caused widespread devastation.
The three European nations believe their joint decision carries significant symbolic weight, potentially inspiring other countries to follow suit. Ireland’s Prime Minister Simon Harris emphasized the importance of sustaining hope for Middle East peace, despite initially wanting to recognize Palestine at the conclusion of a peace process. He urged Israel to “stop the humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza.
Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide called it “a special day for Norway-Palestine relations.” Similarly, Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares expressed a commitment to peace, highlighting Spain’s willingness to contribute to the path toward a two-state solution. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez insisted that recognizing Palestine is crucial for peace and not intended as a slight against Israel. He underscored Spain’s rejection of Hamas and its actions that led to the ongoing conflict.
The announcement has heightened diplomatic tensions, especially between Spain and Israel. Comments from Spanish politician Yolanda Diaz, supporting the recognition and using a controversial slogan, were condemned by Israel as incitement. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused Sanchez of incitement to genocide and war crimes by supporting the Palestinian statehood recognition.
This decision marks a significant moment in international relations, with 145 of the United Nations’ 193 member states now recognizing Palestinian statehood. The move follows Sweden’s recognition in 2014 and several other European countries that recognized Palestine before joining the EU.
The Gaza conflict has intensified calls for Palestinian statehood. The October 7 attacks by Hamas on southern Israel resulted in over 1,170 deaths and numerous hostages. Israel’s retaliatory actions have led to over 36,000 deaths in Gaza, mostly civilians, as reported by Gaza’s health ministry.
The international community remains divided on recognizing Palestinian statehood, with ongoing debates about the best path to achieving lasting peace in the region.
