Palestine received formal recognition as a state by the governments of Spain, Norway, and Ireland, leading to Israel’s discontent.
In a recorded statement on Tuesday, Spain’s President Pedro Sanchez described the move as “historic” and expressed the single goal of “achieving peace between Israelis and Palestinians.” Speaking in English, he emphasized the significance of this decision.
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According to him, recognizing the State of Palestine is not only a matter of historical justice that aligns with the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people, but it is also a pressing necessity.
The path to a peaceful future lies in the establishment of a Palestinian State that can coexist harmoniously with the State of Israel. This represents the only viable solution to achieve lasting peace and security in the region.
The Government of Spain has officially approved the recognition of Palestine as a State.
Spain has made the significant decision to recognize the Palestinian State, joining the ranks of over 140 other countries that have already done so.
“This decision holds great historical significance as it is driven by a singular objective: to make a valuable contribution towards…” tweeted Pedro Sรกnchez (@sanchezcastejon) on May 28, 2024.
Last week, Spain, Norway, and Ireland made the decision to recognize Palestine as a state, amidst increasing international criticism of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.
Norwegian Foreign Affairs Minister Espen Barth Eide met with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa in Brussels on Sunday to formalize the recognition of Palestine. During the meeting, Minister Eide presented a document to Prime Minister Mustafa, solidifying the acknowledgment.
“It was crucial for me to personally present a formal document to Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa,” stated Eide in a government release. “He highly appreciates Norway’s involvement and our endeavors to advance a two-state solution.”
Norway’s decision to recognize Palestine as a state sends a strong message of support to the moderate forces in both countries.
On Tuesday, Ireland confirmed its commitment to establish full diplomatic relations during a meeting.
“We made the decision to recognize Palestine not as the conclusion of a peace process, but rather as a means to preserve the hope for a peaceful resolution. This decision was made in conjunction with Spain and Norway, as we believe in keeping the spirit of peace alive.”
Israel swiftly criticized the countries for their decision, summoning their ambassadors and restricting Spain’s consulate from offering services to Palestinians in the West Bank.
Foreign Minister Israel Katz of Israel criticized Sanchez, accusing him of being complicit in inciting the murder of the Jewish people and committing war crimes.
More than 140 countries around the world have already recognized Palestine as an independent state and maintain bilateral relations with it.
According to Sanchez, the state of Palestine needs to be feasible and have a connection between the West Bank and Gaza through a corridor. He also emphasized that East Jerusalem should be the capital of Palestine, and the Palestine National Authority should be the governing body.
Spain will actively support the efforts to enhance Palestine’s presence in international organizations, according to the official.
According to the Spanish Foreign Minister, the recognition of Palestine is not intended to be against any country, including Israel. Spain values and respects Israel as a friendly nation, and they aim to build a strong relationship with them.
According to him, the decision is also a clear indication of Spain’s strong stance against Hamas, which he describes as a terrorist organization.
The Israel-Hamas war commenced on October 7th, as the Iran proxy militia launched a surprise attack on the Middle Eastern country. During this attack, they killed 1,200 Israelis and took an additional 250 hostages.
Israel has been engaging in military operations against Hamas in Gaza, resulting in the loss of over 36,000 Palestinian lives, as reported by the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
Israel is facing mounting international criticism for its methods of waging war, including from Western allies like the United States, amidst the ongoing conflict and rising death toll.
The criticism against Israel has intensified as they carry out a military operation in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza. This city serves as a refuge for hundreds of thousands of civilians seeking shelter from the ongoing war.
