Spain, Ireland And Norway Admit Palestinian State, PM Sanchez: Not Against Israel

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. (Wikimedia Commons/European Parliament)

JAKARTA - Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that the decision taken by Spain, Norway, and Ireland to recognize the State of Palestine was not to fight anyone, including against Israel, but only to have the best relations.

The decision by the three countries to recognize the State of Palestine starting Tuesday, drew a strong reaction from Israel, as the conflict in Gaza entered its seventh month.

Joining more than 140 of the 192 UN member states that recognize the State of Israel, the three countries said they sought to accelerate efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.

"This is a historic decision that has one goal: for Israel and Palestine to achieve peace," said Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, as reported by Reuters, May 28.

PM Sanchez said Madrid would recognize a unified State of Palestine, including the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, under the Palestinian National Authority with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Israel itself has repeatedly condemned the move, insisting it supports Hamas, which launched an attack on October 7 against Israel.

"Sanchez, when you recognize the state of Palestine, you are complicit in incitement of genocide against the Jewish people and war crimes," wrote Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz in X on Tuesday.

Esta mañana me he reunido con mis homólogos irlandés @MichealMartinTD y noruego @EspenBarthEide.

España, junto a Irlanda y Noruega, reconocerá mañana el Estado de Palestina. Una decisión para avanzar en la solución de dos Estados. Por la paz y seguridad para Palestina e Israel. pic.twitter.com/nYWg8Cwx9C

— José Manuel Albares (@jmalbares) May 27, 2024

Israel responded to the recognition step by recalling its ambassadors from Madrid, Oslo, and Dublin, then summoning the ambassadors of these three countries to watch videos of Israeli citizens being held hostage by the Hamas armed group.

They also blocked Spain from providing consular services to Palestinians in the West Bank and accused Spain of helping Hamas. In response, Spain stepped up its criticism, describing the Gaza conflict as a "real genocide."

Yesterday, Spain said it would ask other European Union members to formally support the International Court of Justice's order last week for Israel to halt its military offensive against the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

However, to ease tensions, PM Sanchez today criticized Hamas and called for the release of all hostages.

"This is not a decision we took against anyone, let alone against Israel," he said.

"We want to have the best relationship," he said.

PM Sanchez said Madrid would not recognize any changes to the pre-1967 borders unless agreed by both sides.

"This is the only way to move forward towards what everyone recognizes as the only possible solution to achieve a peaceful future, one of a Palestinian State living side by side with the State of Israel in peace and security," explained PM Sanchez.

Spain, Norway, and Ireland hope their decision will encourage other European Union countries to do the same.

It is known that of the 27 members of the European Union, Sweden, Cyprus, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Romania, and Bulgaria have recognized the Palestinian state. Meanwhile, Malta and Slovenia have indicated that they could follow suit.