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Ireland, Spain and Norway recognise Palestinian state, Israel recalls its envoy

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Announcing the decision to recognise a Palestinian state, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris it was a coordinated move with Norway and Spain. He said the move is historic and important for Ireland and Palestine.

Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store announces Oslo’s recognition of “Palestine as an independent state”.
Norway is one of three nations, alongside Ireland and Spain, who on Wednesday said they would recognise a
Palestinian state. (Pic: AFP)

Ireland, Spain and Norway have recognised a Palestinian state days after United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution with an unprecedented majority calling for an independent sovereign Palestinian state, most of whose territory is under Israeli occupation for over a half a century.

Announcing the decision to recognise a Palestinian state, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris it was a coordinated move with Norway and Spain. He said the move is historic and important for Ireland and Palestine.

No peace in Middle East without Palestinian recognition: Norway

On Wednesday, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said there Middle East can not have peace unless there is a recognition to a Palestinian state.

Meanwhile, Spain said it will recognise a Palestinian state on May 28. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, a socialist leader, made the announcement in country’s Parliament on Wednesday.

The Spanish Prime Minister has toured European countries garnering support for an independent Palestinian state and ceasefire in Gaza. Sanchez had vowed several times to recognise Palestine.

Earlier in May, Foreign Minister of Spain Jose Albares said he had informed US authorities including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken about recognising Palestine.

Why Europeans nations recognising now?

The move to acknowledge a Palestinian statehood comes at a very crucial time when the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly voted on May 10 to support a Palestinian bid for full membership of the world body. The vote was passed by an overwhelming majority with 143 votes in favour, 9 against and 25 abstentions. The move has put pressure on several European states to recognise Palestine after decades of indecisiveness and pressure of Israel.

October 7 Hamas assault and Palestinian territories under Israeli assault

Israel unleashed it brutal assault military assault in Gaza after Hamas launched a massive assault on South Israel killing at least 1200 Israelis including foreign nationals. Retaliating to Hamas assault, Israel launched a full fledged assault military assault  on Gaza a day after killing at least 36,000 Palestinians  including over 10,000 children and women.

Israel accused of genocide in Gaza and using starvation as tool of war

Several UN agencies and International Criminal Court (ICC) has accused Israel of using starvation as a tool of war in the Gaza Strip along with allegedly carrying out a genocide in the narrow strip. The ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan has also sought an arrest warrant for Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The arrest warrant has also been sought against Hamas leaders including Yahya Sinwar.

Which European nations recognised Palestine?

Sweden recognised Palestine a decade back despite being a member of European Union. The other European nations include Malta, Czech Republic, Greek Cypriot administration, Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Poland. These nations recognised Palestine before they joined the EU.

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