Palestine Wins Diplomatic Victory as Three European States Extend Recognition

Norway, Ireland, and Spain have announced that they will recognize a Palestinian state on May 28, 2024. The leaders of these countries hope that other Western nations will follow suit. This move has prompted Israel to recall its ambassadors from the three countries.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated that the move is aimed at accelerating efforts to secure a ceasefire in Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza. He hopes that the recognition will contribute to other Western countries following suit, leading to a ceasefire, the release of hostages held by Hamas, and a relaunch of the political process towards a peace agreement.

Israel launched its war in Gaza in retaliation for an October 7 assault by Hamas that killed 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Israel’s operations in the enclave have killed more than 35,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.

Spain and its allies have spent months lobbying European nations, including France, Portugal, Belgium, and Slovenia, to garner support for the recognition of a Palestinian state. Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris stated that Ireland, Norway, and Spain recognize the state of Palestine and will undertake national steps to give effect to that decision.

Harris added that Ireland is unequivocal in fully recognizing Israel and its right to exist securely and in peace with its neighbors. He also called for all hostages in Gaza to be immediately returned. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store stated that the only alternative for a political solution between Israelis and Palestinians is two states living side by side in peace and security.

In response to the announcements, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz ordered the immediate return of the Israeli ambassadors to the three countries for consultations and warned of further severe consequences. Katz stated that Israel will not be complacent against those who undermine its sovereignty and endanger its security.

Israel’s foreign ministry said it would also reprimand the Irish, Spanish, and Norwegian ambassadors and show them a video of female hostages being held in captivity by Hamas. Israel argues that the only way to achieve Palestinian statehood is through negotiations and that bypassing this process would give Hamas and other militant groups an incentive to use violence.

Around 144 out of 193 member-states of the United Nations have already recognized a Palestinian state, including most of the global south, Russia, China, and India. However, only a handful of 27 EU members have done so, with Sweden being the first in 2014. The United Kingdom and Australia have indicated in recent months that they could soon follow suit.

Palestinians seek statehood in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as their capital. Israel’s staunchest ally, the United States, last month vetoed an attempt at United Nations recognition for a Palestinian state, arguing that a two-state solution can only come from direct negotiations between the parties.