Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in southern Lebanon: Israeli artillery shelling targets the outskirts of the town of Shebaa
Al-Qassam Brigades: The targeting took place at the intersection of 'Street 5' with the western line north of Khan Younis
Al-Qassam Brigades: A NIMR armored personnel carrier carrying an Israeli soldier was targeted with an Al-Yassin missile north of Khan Younis
Israeli media: At least two soldiers killed by anti-tank missile fired at Israeli army forces in the Gaza Strip
Local Syrian sources: Mortar shells fell on more than nine villages in the Sweida countryside
Local Syrian sources: Dozens of dead and wounded have arrived at Sweida hospitals as a result of ongoing clashes at several locations in the western Sweida countryside
Local sources: Civilians, including children and women, were injured in the al-Maqous neighborhood of Sweida, in Syria, as a result of ongoing clashes
Israeli media outlet: Security incident reported in the Gaza Strip
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson: No new date or venue has been set for the meeting between Araghchi and Witkoff, and no negotiations will take place until the outcome is guaranteed
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police

Spain does not intend to recognize Palestine on May 21, PM says

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 17 May 2024 23:58
4 Min Read

Spain denies that it seeks to recognize Palestinian statehood on May 21, but says it is ready to do so at a later date.

  • x
  • Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez addresses the European Parliament, December 13, 2023 at in Strasbourg, eastern France
    Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez addresses the European Parliament, December 13, 2023 at in Strasbourg, eastern France

Spain will not recognize the Palestinian state on May 21 as previously speculated, but remains open to doing so in coordination with other countries at a later date, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced on Friday.

This clarification follows recent reports from Irish broadcaster RTÉ that Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, and Malta were considering recognizing Palestinian statehood on May 21.

However, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares did not confirm these reports, although he indicated that a fundamental decision on the matter had been reached.

In an interview with Spanish broadcaster La Sexta, Sanchez stated, "This will not occur next Tuesday… because we are coordinating with other countries so that we make a joint declaration and recognition."

Currently, nine EU member states recognize 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.

RTÉ reported that two sources revealed that May 21 was being studied as the possible date for the declaration, and a third source said that communications between Ireland and Spain, as well as Slovenia and Malta, have been increasing in a vision of the countries jointly recognizing Palestinian statehood.  

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris spoke to his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez on May 6, which a government spokesperson labeled as "a good and thorough call" regarding the "grave situation in the Middle East."

Related News

Al-Qassam kill Israeli soldier in new 'scandal' for Israeli forces

Israeli officer killed, others wounded in Khan Younis explosion

"On recognition [of Palestine], our work continues together on recognizing the State of Palestine. They reaffirmed the wish for both Spain and Ireland to recognize Palestine, agreeing that formal recognition is an important part of acknowledging that a two-state solution is the only way to bring about peace and stability in the region, with the State of Palestine and the State of Israel living side-by-side in peace and security," the spokesperson said. 

Speaking with RTÉ News, a spokesperson for Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defense Micheál Martin said, "Discussions with a number of like-minded European partners are ongoing on the recognition of the State of Palestine."

"Ireland's focus will continue to be on ensuring a decision on recognition has a positive impact on the prospects for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, based on a two-state solution, and supports progress towards comprehensive regional peace, based on the principles of the Arab Peace Plan," they added.

reland for Palestine

At a meeting of the Green parliamentary party, Martin said that Ireland would vote in favor of Palestinian membership in the UN when the UN General Assembly considers this on May 10. 

Irish officials also predict this vote to be carried by a significant margin.

Addressing the Green Party meeting, he said that Ireland would take part in the genocide case at the International Court of Justice after South Africa files its substantive case by October.

Martin also mentioned how Ireland was urging the European Commission to respond to the letter sent by Ireland and Spain asking for a review of the EU-"Israel" Association Agreement. 

He also expressed worry over the increasing death toll in Gaza and the thousands of children who have been orphaned alongside the destruction-induced trauma haunting all Palestinians who will have to rebuild Gaza.

Former Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar and his Spanish, Maltese, and Slovenian counterparts released a joint statement on March 22 saying that they discussed their "readiness to recognize Palestine" and that they will take this step when it can make a positive contribution and the circumstances are right.

  • Occupied Palestine
  • Palestine
  • Spain
  • Israel
  • Ireland
  • European Union
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS