Recognizing state of Palestine not a 'gift' to Hamas: Borrell

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News Websites
24 May 2024 12:20

It seems the EU will likely follow the steps of Ireland, Spain and Norway in recognizing Palestine as a state.

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European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell rings a bell to signify the start of a meeting at the European Council building in Brussels, on May 7, 2024. (AP)

In a statement today, European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell expressed that recognizing a Palestinian state does not make it a 'gift' to Hamas.

He said: "Recognizing the Palestinian state is not a gift to Hamas, quite the contrary," adding, "The Palestinian Authority is not Hamas, on the contrary, they are deeply confronted."

He even revealed that the EU has already negotiated, financed, and met with the Palestinian Authority. "Every time someone makes the decision to support a Palestinian state, ... the reaction of Israel is to transform it into an antisemitic attack," he concluded.

This comes a mere day after Ireland announced that it recognizes the state of Palestine, as confirmed by Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris, who said: "Today, Ireland, Norway, and Spain are announcing that we recognize the state of Palestine," 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 recognized by others as having the right to be there was a matter of the highest importance for the founders of our state."

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 that it recalled its ambassadors to Ireland and Norway.

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.