Norway, Ireland and Spain recognize Palestinian statehood | Wilnesh News

The prime ministers of Norway, Ireland and Spain said on Wednesday that they would recognize an independent Palestinian state and hope for a peaceful resolution to the conflict that has lasted for more than 75 years.

The Norwegian Prime Minister said: “In a war that has killed and injured tens of thousands of people, we must preserve the only thing that can provide a safe home for Israelis and Palestinians: two countries that can live together in peace.” According to Reuters, Minister Jonas Gar Stoll said at the press conference.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, say on social media His country will approve recognition of the Palestinian state at a council of ministers on May 28, according to a CNBC translation.

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris also confirmed the news at a press conference: “Today, Ireland, Norway and Spain announced that we recognize the state of Palestine. Each of us will now take all necessary national steps to implement this decision.” .

Harris expressed enthusiasm for the prospect of other countries following suit.

“I am confident that more countries will join us in taking this important step in the coming weeks,” he said.

Palestinian leader Arafat unilaterally declared for the first time in November 1988 the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with its capital in East Jerusalem.

Six other European countries previously recognized the Palestinian state, According to world population review — Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Ukraine and the Czech Republic.

Israel recalled its ambassadors to Ireland and Norway on Wednesday following their decisions to recognize Palestinian statehood.

“Today’s decision sends a message to the Palestinians and the world: terrorism has a price,” Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on the X social media platformOn October 7, the Palestinian militant organization Hamas launched a terrorist attack, killing about 1,200 people and taking about 250 people hostage.

Katz added: “We will take similar steps towards Spain if it fulfills its intention to recognize the state of Palestine. The folly of Ireland and Norway will not stop us.”

In 2007, Hamas completely took over Gaza. Israel’s war with Hamas has killed more than 35,000 people in Gaza, according to the besieged enclave’s Palestinian health authorities.

Washington, a close ally of Israel, has previously expressed support for a “revitalized” version of the Palestinian Authority and recognizes its importance to rebuilding stability in the wider Middle East, which has been rocked by the spread of potential conflict.

Many in the international community support a two-state solution to the long-running conflict in Gaza that would lead to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects the idea of ​​two countries coexisting, stressing in an interview with CNBC last week that the nascent Palestinian state would be “immediately taken over by Hamas and Iran.” Instead, he argued for a post-war outcome that would make Israel “responsible for the full security” of the Gaza enclave.

“An independent Palestinian state remains a firm goal of German foreign policy,” a German foreign ministry spokesman said on Wednesday in response to a question about Berlin’s support for a two-state solution, Reuters reported.