TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Norway, Ireland and Spain said Wednesday they are recognizing a Palestinian state, in a historic move that has drawn condemnation from Israel and jubilation from Palestinians. Israel immediately ordered the withdrawal of its ambassadors from Norway and Ireland.
Formal recognition will be made on May 28th. The development is a step towards a long-standing Palestinian aspiration that has emerged in the context of international outrage over the civilian death toll and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip after Israeli offensive there.
Meanwhile, in Jerusalem, a far-right government minister made a provocative visit to a holy site sacred to Jews and Muslims. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s visit to the Al-Aqsa mosque complex, which Jews call the Temple Mount, would likely increase tensions across the region.
Norway was the first to announce its decision to recognize a Palestinian state, with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre stating that “there can be no peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition”.
“By recognizing a Palestinian state, Norway supports the Arab peace plan,” he said and added that the Scandinavian country “will consider Palestine as an independent state with all the rights and obligations that this implies.”
Several European Union countries have indicated in recent weeks that they plan to recognize it, arguing that a two-state solution is essential for lasting peace in the region. The decision could generate momentum for the recognition of a Palestinian state by other EU countries and could stimulate new measures at the United Nations, deepening Israel’s isolation.
Norway, which is not a member of the EU but reflects its measures, has been an ardent supporter of a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians.
“The terror was committed by Hamas and militant groups that do not support a two-state solution and the State of Israel,” said the leader of the Norwegian government. “Palestine has the fundamental right to an independent state.”
Since the unprecedented attack by Hamas-led militants on Israel on October 7, Israeli forces have led attacks on the northern and southern ends of the Gaza Strip in May, causing a new exodus of hundreds of thousands of people and sharply increasing the restricted the flow of aid, increasing the risk of famine.
Wednesday’s announcements come more than 30 years after the signing of the first Oslo agreement in 1993. Since then, “the Palestinians have taken important steps towards a two-state solution,” the Norwegian government said.
He added that the World Bank determined that a Palestinian state met key criteria for functioning as a state in 2011, and that national institutions were created to provide important services to the population.
“The war in Gaza and the steady expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank still mean that the situation in Palestine is more difficult than it has been in decades,” he said.
Making his announcement, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said the move was coordinated with Spain and Norway – and that it was a “historic and important day for Ireland and Palestine”. He said the intention was to help bring the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to resolution through a two-state solution.
Harris said he believes other countries will join Norway, Spain and Ireland in recognizing a Palestinian state “in the coming weeks.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s socialist leader since 2018, made the long-awaited announcement to the country’s Parliament on Wednesday. He spent months traveling through countries in Europe and the Middle East to drum up support for recognition as well as a possible ceasefire in Gaza. He said multiple times that he was committed to change.
“We know that this initiative will not bring back the past and the lives lost in Palestine, but we believe it will give Palestinians two things that are very important for their present and their future: dignity and hope,” said Sánchez.
“This recognition is not against anyone, it is not against the Israeli people,” Sánchez added, while acknowledging that it will most likely cause diplomatic tensions with Israel. “It is an act in favor of peace, justice and moral consistency.”
Sánchez argued that the measure is necessary to support the viability of a two-state solution that, according to him, “is in serious danger” from the war in Gaza.
“I spent weeks and months talking to leaders inside and outside the region and if one thing is clear it is that Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu does not have a peace project for Palestine, even if the fight against the terrorist group Hamas is legitimate ”, said the Spanish leader.
Earlier this month, Spanish Foreign Minister José Albares said he had informed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken of his government’s intention to recognize a Palestinian state.
Hugh Lovatt, senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said “recognition is a tangible step towards a viable political path leading to Palestinian self-determination.”
But for it to have an impact, he said, it must come with “tangible measures to combat Israel’s annexation and colonization of the Palestinian territory – such as the ban on settlement products and financial services.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz ordered Israel’s ambassadors to Ireland and Norway to immediately return to Israel. He spoke before Spain’s announcement.
“Ireland and Norway aim to send a message today to the Palestinians and the entire world: terrorism pays,” said Katz.
He said recognition could impede efforts to return Israeli hostages held in Gaza and make a ceasefire less likely by “rewarding Hamas and Iranian jihadists.” He also threatened to recall Israel’s ambassador to Spain if the country took a similar stance.
Regarding the Israeli decision to withdraw its ambassador in Oslo, Gahr Støre said “we will take note of it. This is a government with which we have many differences. What we do agree on is to condemn Hamas’ vicious attack on October 7.”
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, speaking after Norway’s announcement, welcomed the move and called on other countries to follow it.
In a statement carried by the official Wafa news agency, Abbas said Norway’s decision would enshrine “the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination” and support efforts to achieve a two-state solution with Israel.
Some 140 countries have recognized a Palestinian state – more than two-thirds of the United Nations members – but none of the major Western powers have done so. This move could put more pressure on continental heavyweights France and Germany to reconsider their stance.
The United States and Britain, among others, have supported the idea of an independent Palestinian state existing alongside Israel as a solution to the Middle East’s most intractable conflict. They insist, however, that Palestinian independence must be part of a negotiated settlement.
The head of the Arab League classified the step taken by the three European nations as “a courageous step”.
“I salute and thank the three countries for this step that puts them on the right side of history in this conflict,” Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit wrote on the X social media platform.
Turkey also applauded the decision, calling it an important step towards restoring the “usurped rights of the Palestinians”.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry also said the move would help “Palestine gain the status it deserves in the international community.”
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Wilson reported from Barcelona, Spain, and Krauss from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Associated Press writers Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark and Jill Lawless in London contributed to this story.
