Three European states, Ireland, Norway and Spain, announced they would recognize the Palestinian state, leading Israel to withdraw its envoys from the three capitals in protest.
In Dublin, Simon Harris, the Irish PM, said the country believes that “permanent peace can only be secured upon the basis of the free will of a free people.”
He pointed to a vote earlier this month at the United Nations General Assembly, where 143 nations voted in favor of a resolution granting Palestine enhanced status within the organization.
He added: “Palestinians in Gaza are enduring the most appalling suffering, hardship and starvation…A humanitarian catastrophe, unimaginable to most, and unconscionable to all—is unfolding in real time.”
Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said in a statement “a lasting solution” is “only achieved through a two-state solution.”
Palestinians have “a fundamental, independent right to self-determination,” and Israelis and Palestinians have “a right to live in peace in their respective states,” the statement says.
The statement, quoting from Prime Minister Store, adds: “There will be no peace in the Middle East without a two-state solution. There can be no two-state solution without a Palestinian state. In other words, a Palestinian state is a prerequisite for achieving peace in the Middle East.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced that his country will recognize the state of Palestine on May 28th. “We are going to recognize Palestine for many reasons and we can sum that up in three words—peace, justice and consistency,” he said.
“We have to make sure that the two-state solution is respected and there must be mutual guarantees of security,” he maintained. “The two sides must negotiate for peace and it is for this reason that we recognize Palestine.”
Most of the world already recognizes Palestine as a state. Earlier this month, 143 of the 193 members of the United Nations General Assembly voted in favor of Palestine joining the UN, something only states can do.
As of this morning, only nine European countries supported Palestinian statehood and most of those made the decision in 1988 when part of the Soviet bloc retaliated. Hence, for Norway, Ireland, and Spain to join their number is both rare and significant, the BBC notes.
Most other European countries still believe recognition should come only as part of a long-term two-state solution to the conflict.
Israel recalls envoys following recognition of Palestinian state
Israel announced it recalls its envoys to Ireland and Norway “for urgent consultations.”
“I am sending Ireland and Norway a clear message: Israel will not back down against those who undermine its sovereignty and endanger its security,” Foreign Minister Israel Katz said.
“Israel will not go over this in silence—there will be other serious consequences,” Katz added. “If Spain realizes its intention to recognize a Palestinian state, a similar step will be taken against it.”
“Today’s decision sends a message to the Palestinians and the world: terrorism pays,” he said.
“After the Hamas terror organization carried out the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, after committing heinous sexual crimes witnessed by the world, these countries chose to reward Hamas and Iran by recognizing a Palestinian state,” he declared.
“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,” concluded FM Katz.
This is a developing story.
Related: Crucial Moments in Greece’s Relations With Israel and Palestine
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