Spain, Ireland and Norway have officially recognised the State of Palestine on Tuesday after nearly nine months of Israeli bombardment of Gaza in a “historic decision” that has prompted fury from Israel.
Madrid, Dublin and Oslo join more than 140 of the 193 United Nations member states that recognise a Palestinian state. The three countries said they hoped to accelerate efforts to secure a ceasefire in Israel’s attacks on Gaza.
Other European nations to have recognised Palestine as a state include Sweden, Cyprus, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland and Bulgaria. Malta and Slovenia have indicated they could follow.
The Irish government approved recognition in a cabinet meeting this morning after joining Spain and Norway last week in announcing their intention to recognise Palestine.
It said in a statement: “The Government recognises Palestine as a sovereign and independent state and agreed to establish full diplomatic relations between Dublin and Ramallah. An Ambassador of Ireland to the State of Palestine will be appointed along with a full Embassy of Ireland in Ramallah.”
The Irish Prime Minister, Simon Harris, said: “This decision of Ireland is about keeping hope alive. It is about believing that a two-state solution is the only way for Israel and Palestine to live side by side in peace and security. I again call on Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel to listen to the world and stop the humanitarian catastrophe we are seeing in Gaza.”
Pedro Sánchez, the Prime Minister of Spain, said in a televised statement that his government’s decision was taken with the single aim of helping Israelis and Palestinians achieve peace.
“The recognition of the State of Palestine is not only a matter of historical justice with the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people – it is also an urgent need to achieve peace,” he said.
“It is the only way to move towards the only possible solution to achieve a future of peace – that of a Palestinian State that coexists alongside the State of Israel in peace and security. The decision is based on respect for international law and the defence of the rules-based international order.” We act in accordance with what is expected of a great country like Spain.”
Spain will recognise a unified state based on the borders pre-1967 – comprising Gaza and the West Bank, with the state’s capital as East Jerusalem. It would be ruled by the Palestinian National Authority, which now exercises limited rule over areas of the occupied West Bank. Sánchez said Spain would not recognise changes to the 1967 borders unless agreed by both the Israelis and Palestinians.
“It’s the only way of advancing toward what everyone recognises as the only possible solution to achieve a peaceful future, one of a Palestinian state that lives side by side with the Israeli state in peace and security,” he added. He also condemned Hamas and called for the release of hostages.
The Spanish cabinet formally approved the measure at a meeting on Tuesday morning, followed by Ireland and Norway.
The Norwegian Foreign Minister, Espen Barth Eide, said that “for more than 30 years, Norway has been one of the strongest advocates for a Palestinian state. Today, when Norway officially recognises Palestine as a state, is a milestone in the relationship between Norway and Palestine.”
Israel has condemned the move, accusing the three countries of rewarding Hamas for its 7 October atrocities in Israel with recognition of a state. Israel withdrew its ambassadors from Madrid, Oslo and Dublin and summoned their ambassadors to watch videos of Israelis being taken hostage by Hamas.
Israel Katz, the Israeli Foreign Minister, wrote on X: “Sánchez, when you… recognise a Palestinian state, you are complicit in incitement to genocide against the Jewish people and in war crimes.”
The UK has said it is considering recognition, and that it “unequivocally supports a two-state solution”, adding: “We will recognise a Palestinian State when most conducive to the peace process.”