Spain, Norway, Ireland to recognize Palestine today

Spain, Ireland, and Norway are set to officially recognize a Palestinian state on Tuesday, a move that has sparked strong backlash from Israel. This decision comes amidst ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has seen Israel increasingly isolated over the past seven months.

Currently, 144 of the 193 UN member states, including much of the global south, Russia, China, and India, recognize a Palestinian state. The declarations from Madrid, Dublin, and Oslo are intended to accelerate efforts for a ceasefire in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

While the recognition by Spain, Ireland, and Norway is largely symbolic, it aims to galvanize other EU countries to follow suit. Spain and Ireland will become the most influential EU nations to recognize a Palestinian state, joining Sweden, Cyprus, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Romania, and Bulgaria. Other countries like Britain, Australia, Malta, and Slovenia have indicated they might consider similar actions.

In contrast, France and Germany, along with the United States, oppose unilateral recognition of Palestinian statehood, advocating instead for a two-state solution achieved through dialogue. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed hope that their recognition would encourage other Western nations to join and strengthen efforts to impose a ceasefire.

Israel’s brutal attacks have resulted in over 36,000 Palestinian deaths according to Gaza’s health ministry. The newly recognized Palestinian state will have borders as they were before 1967, with Jerusalem as the capital for both nations. This move will also elevate diplomatic relations, upgrading representative offices in the West Bank to full embassies.

In response, Israel has withdrawn its ambassadors from Madrid, Oslo, and Dublin, and summoned these countries’ ambassadors to view videos of Israelis being taken hostage by Hamas. Additionally, Israel has blocked Spain from providing consular services to Palestinians in the West Bank and accused Spain of aiding Hamas. Spain has escalated its criticism, labeling the conflict in Gaza as a “real genocide” and has urged other EU members to support the International Court of Justice’s recent order for Israel to halt its military actions in Rafah.