‘Historic’: Ireland, Spain, Norway Recognized Palestinian State

IQNA – Ireland, Spain, and Norway announced on Wednesday that they will take the necessary steps to officially recognize the Palestinian State, as the Israeli war on Gaza has raised awareness about the issue.

Ireland officially recognized the Palestinian state, Prime Minister Simon Harris announced at a Dublin press conference on Wednesday.

Harris said the decision was taken last month, and he confirmed that Ireland would take this step alongside Spain.

“Today, Ireland, Norway and Spain are announcing that we recognize the state of Palestine," he said, adding: “Each of us will now undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision."

Harris said he has “spoken with a number of other leaders and counterparts, and I'm confident that further countries will join us in taking this important step in the coming weeks.”

“This is a historic and important day for Ireland and for Palestine,” he said, Anadolu Agency reported.

Meanwhile, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store also revealed his country’s decision to recognize the Palestinian State.

“The Norwegian Government has decided that Norway will recognize Palestine as a state,” Jonas Gahr Store said, according to a government statement.

“In the midst of a war, with tens of thousands killed and injured, we must keep alive the only alternative that offers a political solution for Israelis and Palestinians alike: two states, living side by side, in peace and security,” Store added.

“Norway’s formal recognition of Palestine as a state will enter into force on Tuesday, May 28, 2024,” the statement said.

“There will be no peace in the Middle East without a two-state solution. There can be no two-state solution without a Palestinian state. In other words, a Palestinian state is a prerequisite for achieving peace in the Middle East,” Store added.

Furthermore, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced in parliament on Wednesday that Madrid will formally recognize Palestinian statehood on May 28.

In his speech, Sanchez said he has been talking to leaders and studying the situation in Palestine and understands one thing clearly: Israeli prime minister Benjamin “Netanyahu does not have a peace project for Palestine.”

Sanchez said that the Israeli leader is refusing to listen to the international community as he continues to bomb civilian infrastructure and block desperately needed aid.

At the same time, he added that the recognition of Palestine “is not the end, it’s only the beginning,” and that Spain will continue pressuring the international community to take action.

He also announced that Spain will take in around 30 children from Gaza who are suffering from cancer or other severe health conditions.

The Israeli regime has been pounding the Gaza Strip since October last year after Palestinian resistance groups launched a retaliatory operation against the occupied lands in response to decades of Israeli oppression and killings against Palestinians.

The Israeli attacks have killed more than 35,600 Palestinians, mostly women and children, while thousands are reported to be under rubble. The regime has also intensified the siege on the area, blocking aid for some 2.3 million residents of Gaza.

Source: Agencies