Ireland, Norway and Spain recognized Palestine as an independent state.
What remains of historic Palestine is divided between the Israeli-occupied West Bank and the besieged Gaza Strip, over which Israel has waged a war that has lasted nearly eight months, killing more than 36,000 people.
Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank expressed optimism and pride about broader recognition of their country and their cause.
What does recognition mean for Palestine?
Spain, Ireland and Norway did not recognize the existence of a state, but only the possibility of creating one.
This decision will lead to a strengthening of diplomatic relations between the Palestinian Authority and the three countries.
All announced that they would recognize Palestine according to the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Dublin said it would transform both the Palestinian mission in Dublin and its own offices in Palestine into embassies, while Oslo and Madrid have already done so.
The hope is that this symbolism will strengthen Palestine’s international position and put more pressure on Israel to open negotiations aimed at ending the war.
This decision has already motivated Slovenia, which should recognize Palestine by June 13.
Given the accession of Ireland and Spain to the European Union, it is also hoped that this decision will put the status of Palestine on the agenda of the European elections on June 6-9.
How many countries in the world recognize Palestine?
Of the 193 members of the United Nations General Assembly, 143 had already recognized Palestine.
Tuesday’s acknowledgments are the strongest indication yet that the idea could gain traction in economically and diplomatically powerful Western European states.
With countries recognizing Palestine on Tuesday, what is the total now?
The moves by Ireland, Norway and Spain to recognize Palestine bring the total number of states to 146.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told a press conference on Tuesday that the decision is “the only way to move forward towards what everyone recognizes as the only possible solution to achieve a peaceful future, that of a Palestinian state living alongside the Israeli state. State in peace and security”.
What difference does it make to Palestine if a country recognizes it?
Concretely, it’s not much.
However, any move by the international community to grant greater recognition to Palestine gives its diplomats additional influence in any negotiation or summit.
It also allows Palestine to enter into bilateral agreements as an independent state.
Can Palestine fully participate in international systems?
Palestine has served as a non-member observer state in the United Nations General Assembly since 2012, allowing its delegates to address the room.
Palestine also confirmed its membership in the International Criminal Court in 2015 when it accepted the Court’s jurisdiction over its territory.
When it comes to international financial systems, Palestinian access remains limited.
According to the International Monetary Fund, the Palestinian Authority (PA) does not have access to international capital markets, meaning that any shortfall in its budget not covered by aid channeled through Israel must be made up by the PA itself. -even.
Gaza is entirely dependent on aid.
What would it take for Palestine to be fully integrated?
The only country that can determine the statehood of Palestine is Israel, as the occupying power.
Ireland, Norway, Spain and the 143 states that have already recognized Palestine hope that international pressure on Israel will lead it to reverse the commitments it made in the Oslo Accords in the 1990s when he agreed to pursue a two-state solution.
What did Israel do when it heard about this?
Israel reacted with fury to the decision by the two EU states and Norway, accusing all three of “rewarding terrorism”.
She immediately withdrew her ambassadors to Ireland, Norway and Spain.
Then, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz summoned the ambassadors of the three countries to a meeting during which they were shown footage of the Hamas-led incursion into Israel on October 7, as evidence of the reason why their governments should not recognize Palestine.
All three governments have already condemned the attacks carried out by Hamas and have consistently stated that their recognition of Palestine would contribute to a peaceful solution in the region.
