Ireland, Norway, Spain recognize Palestinian state, Irish PM says
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The recognition will take effect on May 28, the Norwegian FM said.
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A Palestinian looks for survivors under a residential building that was destroyed during Israeli bombardment at the al-Daraj neighborhood in Gaza City on May 20. (AFP)
Ireland announced that it recognizes the state of Palestine, as confirmed by Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris on Wednesday, adding that he expects other countries to join Ireland, Spain, and Norway in the coming weeks.
At a press conference, Harris said, "Today, Ireland, Norway, and Spain are announcing that we recognise the state of Palestine," based on the 1967 established borders, adding, "Each of us will now undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision."
"I'm confident that further countries will join us in taking this important step in the coming weeks."
He highlighted Ireland's role and history in this by saying, "Taking our place on the world stage and being recognised by others as having the right to be there was a matter of the highest importance for the founders of our state."
Today, the Government announces it will formally recognise the State of Palestine on May 28th.
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) May 22, 2024
Today, we state clearly our unambiguous support for the equal right to security, dignity, and self-determination for the Palestinian and Israeli peoples. pic.twitter.com/uGoymhg5VD
Meanwhile, AP quoted Norway's Prime Minister as saying that the country's official recognition of Palestine as a state will take effect on May 28, which Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide has also confirmed.
In a quick response to retaliate, the Israeli Foreign Ministry declared on Wednesday it had ordered an immediate recall of its ambassadors to Ireland and Norway.
I have instructed the immediate recall of Israel’s ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for consultations in light of these countries' decisions to recognize a Palestinian state.
— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) May 22, 2024
I’m sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the…
After Spain announced its recognition of Palestine, "Israel" also recalled the ambassador to Spain for "consultations" and reprimanded and condemned all Spanish, Norwegian, and Irish ambassadors after all three countries announced their recognitions.
Recent indications from European Union members Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, and Malta suggested a collective move toward recognizing a "two-state solution" as crucial for achieving lasting peace in the region.
"There cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition," Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said earlier today.
Several European Union countries have in the past weeks indicated that they plan to make the recognition, arguing a "two-state solution" is essential for lasting peace in the region.
Norway, which is not a member of the European Union, still mirrors its moves and has been a fervent supporter of a "two-state solution."
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Meanwhile, in Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is scheduled to address the parliament about setting a date for recognizing a Palestinian state.
Sanchez plans to announce the recognition of an independent Palestinian state on Wednesday, a government source told Reuters, confirming an earlier report from news website El Confidencial.
A spokesperson for Sanchez's office refused to comment.
The Norwegian prime minister and foreign minister are scheduled to hold a press conference at 06:30 GMT on Wednesday, with the Middle East as the main topic of discussion. This move comes amid a recent Israeli military invasion in the northern and southern areas of the Gaza Strip, resulting in a new wave of forcible displacement and heightened restrictions on aid, raising concerns of famine.
Despite not being part of the European Union, Norway has maintained its stance on recognizing Palestine as a state, conditioned upon its potential positive impact on the peace process between "Israel" and the Palestinians, aligning with the United States' position on the matter.
Nine EU member states had recognized Palestine. Eight countries, namely Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia, recognized Palestine in 1988 before joining the European Union, and Sweden recognized Palestine in 2014.
Read more: EU states mull jointly recognizing state of Palestine on May 21: RTÉ
