Norway, Ireland and Spain moved to recognise Palestinian statehood on Wednesday (May 22), following which Israel recalled its envoys from the first two nations. Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz directed the nation’s envoys to both countries to return immediately.
“Ireland and Norway intend to send a message today to the Palestinians and the whole world: terrorism pays,” Katz said.
Israel continues to oppose statehood moves for Palestinians, warning that it will “lead to more terrorism, instability in the region and jeopardise any prospects for peace.”
“Don’t be a pawn in the hands of Hamas,” Israeli foreign ministry had said on May 21.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere exuded confidence in the decisive step by saying that a two-state solution is in the best interest of Israel. He continued by saying that the recognition will come in effective from May 28.
Gahr Store earlier signaled readiness to recognise Palestine, noting, “The question is when and in what context,” in April.
The Irish government also recognised the state of Palestine on Wednesday.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also officially recognised of Palestine to the Spanish parliament on Wednesday, describing it as the “only way” to resolve the ongoing war in Gaza that has left thousands of people dead.
Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, and Malta have been indicating their intentions to recognise Palestinian statehood.
This collective push comes in response to the rising death toll in Gaza, the latest toll being more than 35,000 people, and Israel’s airstrikes in Rafah, a move by the Jewish nation to root out the Hamas militant group.
It is worth mentioning that since 1988, 139 out of 193 UN member states have recognised Palestinian statehood.
Historical stance of Spain and Ireland for Palestine
Spain’s historical connections to the Middle East date back to the Franco dictatorship (1939-1975). Following the dictatorship’s end, Spain established economic ties with Israel and diplomatic relations in 1986, subsequently positioning itself as a mediator in the Middle East.
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Meanwhile, for Ireland, support for Palestinian statehood comes in the backdrop of many Irish people drawing parallels between the settlement of European Jews in a majorly Muslim region and those of Protestants in predominantly Catholic Ireland.
Hamas is currently holding nearly 125 hostages taken during the October 7 assault. A total of 1,200 Israelis were killed in the unprecedented attack.
(With inputs from agencies)