Ireland, Norway, Spain recognize Palestine as state, Israel recalls envoys
Ireland, Norway, and Spain have announced their decision to formally recognize Palestine as a state amid the raging Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. The prime ministers of these three nations made this declaration on Wednesday. "In the middle of a war...we must keep alive the only thing that can provide a safe home for both Israelis and Palestinians: two states that can live in peace with each other," Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere told a press conference, according to Reuters.
Spain and Ireland detail recognition plans
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced on social media that the Council of Ministers will approve the recognition of a Palestinian state on May 28. Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris also confirmed the news. "Today, Ireland, Norway, and Spain are announcing that we recognize the state of Palestine. 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," he said.
Israel responds to recognition of Palestinian statehood
As a result of this, the Jewish state has recalled its ambassadors to Ireland and Norway with immediate effect. On Wednesday, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said, "I'm sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the face of those undermining its sovereignty and endangering its security." He also warned Spain that "a similar step will be taken against it."
Read: Israel minister's post here
Israel-Hamas conflict explained
The Israel-Hamas conflict started last year after the Palestinian terrorist group killed around 1,200 Israelis and took some 240 hostages during its October 7 cross-border attacks on Israel. In response, the Jewish nation launched a multi-pronged military operation in the strip, leading to over 34,000 Palestinian fatalities, with women and children constituting at least two-thirds of this number. Notably, over 1 million people are squeezed into Rafah—once a city of 300,000 people—the main refuge for Palestinians amid the Israeli invasion.
