Palestine and Arab countries welcomed the announcement by Spain, Norway, and Ireland to officially recognize the Palestinian state, and while the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) considered the step “important,” Israel expressed its anger and summoned the ambassadors of the three countries.
Today, Wednesday, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Storhe announced that his country will recognize the State of Palestine as of May 28. His Spanish counterpart, Pedro Sanchez, and Irishman, Simon Harris, followed suit.
The Palestinian presidency said – in a series of statements – that this decision will contribute to consecrating the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination on their land, and to taking actual steps to support the implementation of the two-state solution.
The presidency urged the countries of the world – especially European countries – to recognize the State of Palestine in accordance with the internationally recognized two-state solution based on international legitimacy resolutions and the 1967 lines, and stressed the importance of supporting the State of Palestine’s obtaining full membership in the United Nations.
Also, the Palestine Liberation Organization welcomed the step of the three countries, considering it “historic moments.”
The Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Liberation Organization, Hussein Al-Sheikh, said – through his account on the
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also welcomed – in a statement – “this important step, and these countries have once again demonstrated their firm commitment to the two-state solution and achieving long-awaited justice for the Palestinian people.”
In turn, the Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah) welcomed the decision. She said – in a statement – that “the world’s recognition of Palestine confirms the rights of our people, supports the legal and political foundations of our demands for independence and our liberation endeavors, and strongly and effectively repels Israel’s efforts to abolish our existence.”
Hamas welcomes
In a statement, the Hamas movement welcomed the recognition of the Palestinian state by the three European countries, considering it “an important step on the path to consolidating our right to our land and establishing our independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.”
She called on “countries around the world to recognize our legitimate national rights, support the struggle of our Palestinian people for liberation and independence, and end the Zionist occupation of our land.”
For his part, a member of the Hamas Political Bureau, Basem Naim, stressed that “the successive recognition is the direct result of this brave resistance and the legendary steadfastness of the Palestinian people,” considering that these recognitions represent “a turning point in the international position on the Palestinian issue and will help to besiege the entity (Israel) and those who support it.” .
He believed that “this will encourage many countries around the world to recognize Palestine as an independent state,” expressing his appreciation for “the political courage shown by these countries despite great pressure.”
Arabic valuation
For his part, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, praised the decision of Spain, Norway and Ireland to recognize the State of Palestine as of May 28.
Aboul Gheit said – in a statement – that he “highly welcomes the important step” taken by the three countries.
He added – in a post on the X platform – “I salute and thank the three countries for this step that puts them on the right side of history in this conflict.”
He continued, “I call on countries that have not done so to follow the example of the three countries in their courageous, principled step.” He concluded, “I congratulate Palestine on this positive development.”
For its part, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry welcomed the decision of Norway, Ireland and Spain to officially recognize the State of Palestine. She said – in a statement – that the decision supports efforts aimed at creating a political horizon that leads to its establishment on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
As for the Qatari Foreign Ministry, it considered the recognition of the State of Palestine by Norway, Ireland and Spain an important step to support the two-state solution and achieve peace. She stressed that achieving comprehensive and just peace in the region depends on the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders.
She stressed the need to end the war suddenly and return to the political track because it is the only guarantor of achieving stability.
Qatar expressed its hope that more countries will recognize the State of Palestine and strengthen efforts aimed at implementing the two-state solution.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry also welcomed “the positive decision taken by Norway, Spain and Ireland to recognize the sisterly state of Palestine.”
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Al-Safadi appreciated the decision of European countries to recognize the Palestinian state. He said that the decision is “an essential step to respond to Israel’s measures that kill the chances of achieving peace.”
Israeli anger
On the other hand, the Israeli Foreign Ministry decided to summon the ambassadors of Spain, Norway, and Ireland to Tel Aviv in response to their countries’ recognition of the Palestinian state.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said – in a statement – “After the return of Israel’s ambassadors from Ireland and Norway, Foreign Minister Israel Katz ordered the immediate return of our ambassador to Spain for consultations following Spain’s intention to recognize the Palestinian state.”
Katz also ordered “the summoning of the ambassadors of Spain, Norway, and Ireland to strongly rebuke them and watch a video regarding the attacks by Palestinian factions on October 7,” according to the statement.
Katz claimed that “history will remember that Spain, Norway and Ireland decided to award a gold medal to the killers of Hamas,” as he put it. He stressed that Israel will not remain silent about this matter, and there will be dire consequences.
Later, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced the cancellation of the so-called disengagement law from the northern occupied West Bank.
As for Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, he announced the cessation of transferring tax funds to the Palestinian Authority “from now until further notice,” and called for restricting the movements of its officials and intensifying settlement in the occupied territories.
On Wednesday, Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir stormed the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque. He said, “The countries that today recognized the Palestinian state are giving a reward to the killers and aggressors… and we will not allow the declaration of the Palestinian state,” as he put it.
Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported that the Israeli government is considering punishing Ireland, Spain and Norway for their recognition of the State of Palestine.
As for the leader of the Israeli opposition, Yair Lapid, he said, “The decision of Norway, Spain, and Ireland to recognize Palestine is disgraceful, but it is not the product of a crisis, but rather an unprecedented political failure.”
With the recognition of the three European countries on Wednesday, the number of countries that recognized the State of Palestine rose to 147 out of 193 member states in the United Nations General Assembly.
Israel and its ally, the United States, reject the recognition of the Palestinian state by other individual countries, and oppose Palestine’s efforts to obtain full membership in the United Nations, instead of the non-member observer state status that has been in place since 2012.
Last April, Washington used its veto power in the UN Security Council against a draft resolution recommending that the United Nations accept membership of the State of Palestine.
The recognition of the State of Palestine by Norway, Spain and Ireland comes at a time when, since October 7, Israel has been waging a war on Gaza that has left more than 115,000 Palestinians dead or wounded, most of them children and women.