Israel, Norway and Spain have officially recognised Palestine as its own state in a move that has prompted Israel to withdraw its ambassadors from Norway and Ireland.
Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said on Wednesday: "From our own history, we know what [recognition] means.
“Just as Ireland's recognition as a state eventually led to the establishment of our now peaceful republic, we believe that Palestinian statehood will contribute to peace and to reconciliation in the Middle East."
Shortly after, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Norwegian foreign minister Espen Barth Eide announced that both countries will recognise a Palestinian state from 28 May.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said: “There cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition.”
“By recognising a Palestinian state, Norway supports the Arab peace plan,” he said.
Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store prepares to announce that Norway recognises Palestine as an independent state (Getty Images)
Mr Sanchez said during a speech in the Spanish Parliament on Wednesday: “We know that this initiative won’t bring back the past and the lives lost in Palestine, but we believe that it will give the Palestinians two things that are very important for their present and their future: dignity and hope.”
“This recognition is not against anyone, it is not against the Israeli people...It is an act in favor of peace, justice and moral consistency.”
Several European countries have indicated their intention to recognise Palestine as a separate state as part of a larger movement towards a two-state solution, but the decision has drawn condemnation from Israeli officials, who swiftly ordered the return of their ambassadors from Norway and Ireland "for urgent consultations" on Wednesday morning.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in a statement: “Today’s decision sends a message to the Palestinians and the whole world: terrorism pays.”
“This distorted step by these countries is an injustice to the memory of the victims of 7/10, a blow to efforts to return the 128 hostages, and a boost to Hamas and Iran's jihadists, which undermines the chance for peace and questions Israel’s right to self-defense,” Katz said.
He also threatened to recall Israel’s ambassador from Spain if the country goes through with its intention to recognise a Palestinian state.
Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed Norway, Ireland and Spain’s recognition of a Palestinian state and encouraged other countries to follow.
In a statement shared by the Wafa news agency, Abbas said the decision will enshrine “the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination” and help move efforts to bring about a two-state solution with Israel.
Currently, only eight of the EU’s 27 member states have recognised Palestine as a state, including Bulgaria, Czechia, Cyprus, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Sweden, but leading EU member states France and Germany remain opposed to granting recognition.
