Spain, Ireland and Norway formally recognise Palestinian state

[Pelican Press 0]

Spain, Ireland and Norway formally recognise ************ state

3 hours ago

James Landale,Diplomatic correspondent, @BBCJLandale

Niall Carson/PA Wire

A ************ flag was raised outside the Irish Parliament building to mark the decision

Spain, Ireland and Norway have formally recognised a ************ state, in what they say is an attempt to refocus attention on efforts to find a political solution to the war in the Middle East.

They hope by acting together they will encourage other ********* countries to follow suit, in a diplomatic push that could help secure a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages held by ******.

The symbolic decision has provoked a furious row with *******’s government which has accused all three countries of rewarding terrorism.

******* has withdrawn its ambassadors from Ireland, Norway and Spain and formally reprimanded their envoys in Tel Aviv. All three were summoned to *******’s foreign ministry last week to be shown footage of the 7 October attacks in front of the media.

The recognition of Palestine by the three countries also increases diplomatic pressure on ******* after two international courts called for an end to ******* Defense Forces (IDF) operations in southern Gaza and accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of war *******.

Western countries have also stepped up sanctions on ******** settlers in the occupied ************ territories.

The process of diplomatic recognition varies between countries, but normally involves a formal exchange of credentials with the ************ Authority in Ramallah.

Existing consulates or missions in the West Bank or East Jerusalem then become formal embassies, while representatives transform into full-blown ambassadors.

All three countries said they recognised a ************ state based on borders established before the war in 1967, with Jerusalem as the capital of both ******* and Palestine.

The ************ flag flew over Ireland’s parliament as TDs set aside four hours to debate the issue. Before the Cabinet where the formal decision would be made, the Taioseach (prime minister) Simon Harris said it was an “historic and important” move.

He said he hoped other ********* countries would follow the lead because they had to use every lever at their disposal to encourage a ceasefire.

“This is an important moment and I think it sends a signal to the world that there are practical actions you can take as a country to help keep the hope and destination of a two-state solution alive at a time when others are trying to sadly ***** it into oblivion,” Mr Harris said.

As Norway’s formal recognition came into effect, Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said it was “a special day for Norway-Palestine relations”.

BORJA PUIG DE LA BELLACASA/SPANISH PRIME MINISTRY / HANDOUT

Spain’s Pedro Sánchez asserted that the announcement was “not against anyone, least of all *******”

Ahead of Spain’s cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said recognising Palestine was “not only a matter of historic justice”, it was also “an essential requirement if we are all to achieve peace”.

He insisted that Spain was not acting against ******* and was standing against ****** which opposed a two-state solution.

******* appears most ****** with Spain. Its Foreign Minister, ******* Katz, has posted a video on social media showing flamenco dancing and music juxtaposed with explicit images of the 7 October *******, with the words: “******: thank you Spain.”

Spain condemned the post as “scandalous and revolting”. Mr Katz posted similar videos about Ireland and Norway.

The row deepened when Spain’s deputy Prime Minister, Yolanda Díaz, called publicly for ************ to be “free from the river to the sea”, a controversial phrase which many Israelis consider antisemitic and a call for the complete destruction of the state of *******.

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, Mr Katz hit back on Tuesday, comparing Ms Díaz to the ****** commander, Mohamed Sinwar, and Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. He told Mr Sánchez that if he did not ***** his deputy, “you are participating in the incitement to commit genocide and war ******* against the ******* people”.

Diplomats suspect that ******* has responded robustly towards Spain, Ireland and Norway to discourage other countries from following their lead.

Slovenia, Malta and Belgium have in recent months indicated they could recognise Palestine too. But Belgium’s government appears to have cooled on the idea ahead of elections.

NICOLAS MAETERLINCK/BELGA MAG/AFP

Belgium’s prime minister has recently cooled on the idea of recognising a ************ state

Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said he wanted to wait until Belgium could recognise Palestine alongside major ********* nations to have greater impact. “Symbolism solves nothing,” he said.

Most countries – about 139 in all – formally recognise a ************ state.

On 10 May, 143 out of 193 members of the ******* Nations’ general assembly voted in favour of a ************ bid for full UN membership, something that is only open to states.

Palestine currently has a kind of enhanced observer status at the UN, which gives it a seat but not a vote in the assembly. It is also recognised by various international organisations including the ***** League and the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation.

A ********* of ********* countries already recognise a ************ state. They include former members of the ******* Bloc, such as Hungary, Poland, Romania, Czechia, Slovakia and Bulgaria, which adopted the position in 1988; and others including Sweden and Cyprus.

But many ********* countries – and the US – say they will recognise a ************ state only as part of a long-term political solution to the conflict in the Middle East.

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