The governments of Norway, Ireland, and Spain announced on Wednesday their intentions to recognize Palestine as an independent state. The three countries said the formal declaration would resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Ireland Prime Minister Simon Harris called implementing and formally recognizing the two-state solution a “historic and important day for Ireland and for Palestine,” the Associated Press reported.
Harris stated that he hoped the official recognition of a Palestinian state would provide “hope and encouragement to the people of Palestine at one of their darkest hours.”
Norway was the first country to announce the decision, with Ireland and Spain following the Scandinavian country’s lead.
“The Norwegian Government has decided that Norway will recognize Palestine as a state,” Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said in a statement. “In the midst of a war, with tens of thousands killed and injured, we must keep alive the only alternative that offers a political solution for Israelis and Palestinians alike: Two states, living side by side, in peace and security.”
“The terror has been committed by Hamas and militant groups who are not supporters of a two-state solution and the state of Israel,” Gahr Støre said. “Palestine has a fundamental right to an independent state.”
“There cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition,” he said.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that his country would officially begin recognizing a Palestinian state on May 28.
Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, ordered the country’s ambassadors from Norway and Ireland to return to Israel immediately in response to the decision.
“I am sending an unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway — Israel will not let this go quietly,” Katz said.
He said he would do the same with Israel’s ambassadors in Spain if the country followed through with its stated intentions to recognize Palestine, the Times of Israel reported.
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“Ireland and Norway intend to send a message to the Palestinians and the entire world — terror pays,” Katz said. “The twisted step by these states is an affront to the victims of October 7. It also harms efforts to bring back the 128 hostages.”
“The Irish-Norwegian parade of stupidity does not deter us,” Katz said. “We are determined to achieve our goals: returning security to our citizens, toppling Hamas, and bringing back the hostages.”
