Spain, Norway, and Ireland announce formal recognition of Palestine

Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation Jose Manuel Albares, Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide, and Irish Minister of Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin met at the Spanish Embassy in Brussels on May 27 and held a press conference regarding the recognition of the State of Palestine.

The Spanish cabinet met today to discuss the decision. In a press statement following the meeting, Spanish Government Spokesperson Pilar Alegria announced that Spain has formally recognized the State of Palestine. Alegria stated that the cabinet had taken an "important decision" to recognize the State of Palestine and that this was done to help Israelis and Palestinians reach peace.

Spain, Ireland, and Norway had first announced in a statement on May 22 that they would recognize the State of Palestine today.

"OUR DECISION IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL LAW"

Emphasizing that this decision is in accordance with international law, Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez highlighted "peace and justice" and stated that they would focus on a two-state solution:

"Our priority is to put an end to what is happening in Gaza and to open the crossings for humanitarian aid; from now on, we will focus our efforts on a two-state solution. Our decision today to recognize Palestine is in accordance with international law, and we will work with Arab countries to organize a peace conference.

The recognition of the State of Palestine is not only a matter of historical justice, but it is also the goal of all of us to establish peace. The only path to peace is the establishment of a Palestinian state that lives alongside the State of Israel.”

EMPHASIS ON RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL

Sanchez also added that Spain’s recognition of Palestine should not jeopardize its relations with Israel, which it views as a "friendly country" and with which it wants to "develop the strongest possible relationship.”

The Spanish Parliament had passed a resolution in November 2014 in favor of recognizing the State of Palestine.

STATEMENT FROM NORWAY AND IRELAND

Following Spain, Norway also announced that it has formally recognized the State of Palestine. According to a statement from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide described this "special day," on which his country officially recognized the State of Palestine, as a turning point for Norwegian-Palestinian relations.

Criticizing Israel for not making a "constructive commitment" to a two-state solution, Eide emphasized that his country has been "one of the strongest advocates for a Palestinian state for over 30 years.”

Norway had decided to recognize the State of Palestine simultaneously with Ireland and Spain and had stated that it hoped other European states would take the same step regarding the recognition of the State of Palestine.

Foreign Minister Eide stated that the recognition of Palestine by European states alone is not sufficient for the "sustainability" of the state's existence, conveying the message that with the decision to recognize Palestine, they are supporting a peace plan that has been "further developed with key actors" in the region after October 7.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide delivered the documents showing his country's recognition of the State of Palestine to Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa in Brussels on May 26.

Following Norway, Ireland also formally recognized the State of Palestine.

NUMBER OF UN MEMBER STATES RECOGNIZING PALESTINE REACHES 145

Norway and Ireland had also announced in their previous statements that they would recognize the State of Palestine on May 28.

Thus, the number of UN member states that recognize the State of Palestine has risen to 145.

The first Western European country to recognize Palestine was Iceland, and the first EU country was Sweden.