Ireland, Norway, and Spain officially recognised Palestinian statehood, provoking backlash from Israeli officials. Image source: Pok Rie, via Pexels.
Ireland, Norway, and Spain formally recognised Palestine as a state on Tuesday 28 May in a joint effort towards achieving a ceasefire.
The three European nations announced on 22 May their intent to recognise the state of Palestine with its 1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its capital.
146 United Nations member-states recognise Palestinian statehood as of Tuesday, though recognition is limited in Western Europe.
Only 10 countries in the European Union, including Ireland and Spain, recognise the state of Palestine.
Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris said in a statement that Ireland “made this move alongside Spain and Norway to keep the miracle of peace alive” and urged other nations to follow suit.
Ireland will also upgrade its representative office in the West Bank city Ramallah to an embassy.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said in a televised speech, “It is not only a question of historical justice — it is a necessity to achieve peace.”
“It’s the only way of advancing toward what everyone recognises as the only possible solution to achieve a peaceful future, one of a Palestinian state that lives side by side with the Israeli state in peace and security,” said Sánchez.
Harris and Sánchez both support a two-state solution and stressed that recognising Palestine does not preclude the existence of an Israeli state.
Israel, which has become more internationally isolated since its military assault on Gaza began last October, strongly condemned the decision.
Foreign Minister Israel Katz ordered the immediate recall of ambassadors from Dublin, Oslo, and Madrid.
Katz also accused Sánchez of being “complicit in incitement to genocide against the Jewish people and in war crimes” in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said, “It is regrettable that the Israeli government shows no signs of engaging constructively.”
“The international community must increase its political and economic support for Palestine and continue the work for a two-state solution,” said Eide.
Australia, Malta, and the United Kingdom have said they are considering recognition, and Slovenia is expected to recognise Palestine by 13 June.
