Ireland and Spain announce they’ll recognize Palestinian state as of May 28, joining Norway’s declaration

Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez officially announce that their countries will be recognizing a Palestinian state as of May 28, joining Norway’s declaration earlier today.

• “I am confident other countries will join us in the coming weeks,” the Irish premier says, calling it “a historic and important day for Ireland and for Palestine.”

He says the recognition comes out of a belief in “freedom and justice,” and that peace can only be secured by “the free will of a free people.”

Speaking to Spain’s lower house, Sanchez says that Spain’s recognition is a decision “for peace, for justice and for coherence.”

“Spain will be accompanied by other European countries,” he says. “The more there are of us, the sooner we will achieve a ceasefire. We are not going to give up.

• “Recognition is not just the end, it’s just the beginning,” he notes.
• “This recognition is not an attack on anyone, nor a recognition against the Jewish people,” Sanchez adds.
• “Nor is it in favor of Hamas.”

Source: TOI

Speaking in the Spanish parliament, Pedro Sanchez has said that his Israeli counterpart, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is putting the two-state solution in “danger” with his policy of “pain and destruction” in Gaza.

“Next Tuesday, May 28, Spain’s cabinet will approve the recognition of the Palestinian state,” the Spanish prime minister said.

Source: Al Jazeera

Norway recognition of Palestine state a ‘momentous occasion’

This is a major statement.

• We are expecting this to be followed by Ireland a little bit later. Malta, Slovenia and Spain are also publicly saying that they are going to look at recognising the state of Palestine.

This is a momentous occasion for the Palestinians.

It’s perhaps unsurprising that Norway has taken the lead on this because they were behind the Oslo Accords – the agreement in 1993 that really did two things: it recognised the Palestine Liberation Organization, the PLO, as the legitimate representatives of the Palestinian people; and it also put into place the Palestinian Authority (PA), which had limited powers within the occupied West Bank.

This is going to be a boost for the PA.

• It’s going to come as somewhat of a problem for the Israelis though, because they have already said that they want a moderate force within Gaza for the “day after”. But they are not really looking at the PA.

Source: Imran Khan -Al jazeera

‘Some reflection’ among European countries on whether to recognise Palestine: Norway’s PM

Store responded in English to a reporter’s question about whether other countries also plan to recognise Palestine.

He said he expected several European countries to make announcements today.

• “My impression is that there is reflection going on in some more countries, but I will not go into detail on that. I think they will make their position known when they are ready to do so,” he said.

• “The United States have responded to us that they are not in a position or not ready to make that … recommendation. But they have understood, and they respect the decision we have taken,” he added.

Source: Al Jazeera

More from Norway’s prime minister

Store, speaking in Norwegian, explained his government’s reasons for recognising Palestine as a state.

He said:

• “We must keep alive the only alternative that offers a political solution for Israelis and Palestinians alike – two states, living side by side in peace and security.”
• “Recognition of Palestine can strengthen the moderate forces in Palestine, those working for a two-state solution. It can also strengthen moderate forces on the Israeli side and it can provide hope for the future for the Palestinians.”
• “This also sends a strong message to other countries to follow the example of Norway and a number of other European countries and recognise the state of Palestine.”
• “The ongoing war in Gaza has made it abundantly clear that achieving peace and stability must be predicated on resolving the Palestinian question.”
  The goal is to achieve a Palestinian state that is politically cohesive and that derives from the Palestinian Authority.”

• “We believe the two-state solution is in Israel’s best interests.”

Source: Al Jazeera

Israel recalls envoys to Norway, Ireland for ‘urgent consultations’

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz is recalling his country’s ambassadors to Norway and Ireland over the two governments’ expected moves to formally recognise a Palestinian state.

“Today, I am sending a sharp message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not go over this in silence,” Katz said in a statement.

“I have just ordered the return of the Israeli ambassadors from Dublin and Oslo to Israel for further consultations in Jerusalem,” he added.

Source: Al Jazeera