London, 23 May 2024 (TDI): Reactions have been pouring in as Norway, Ireland, and Spain announced their expected timings for the recognition of the Palestinian state.
Separate announcements have been made by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store in Oslo, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Madrid, and Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris in Dublin.
The three countries shall formally recognize the State of Palestine on next Tuesday, May 28th, 2024.
Norway, Spain, and Ireland supporting Two-State Solution
Norwegian Prime Minister emphasized that “recognition of Palestine is a means of supporting the moderate forces which have been losing ground in this protracted and brutal conflict”.
“Amid a war, with tens of thousands killed and injured, 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,” he continued.
But, Spain’s Prime Minister charged that his Israeli counterpart’s campaign of “pain and destruction” in the Gaza Strip was now putting the two-state solution in “danger”.
Irish Foreign Minister Michéal Martin represented his country’s staunch intentions for the recognition of the Palestinian state.
“Today, we state our unambiguous support for the equal right to security, dignity, and self-determination for the Palestinian and Israeli peoples,” he shared.
State of Palestine welcomed the decision
The State of Palestine has welcomed the decisions by Ireland, Norway, and Spain to recognize its statehood.
“With this significant step, Spain, Norway, and Ireland have once again demonstrated their unwavering commitment to the two-state solution and to delivering the long overdue justice to the Palestinian people,” the Palestinian Foreign Ministry exclaimed in a statement.
Furthermore, it states that the recognitions “are in line with international law and all United Nations relevant resolutions, which will in turn contribute positively to all international efforts towards ending the Israeli illegal occupation and achieving peace and stability in the region.”
Lastly, the Ministry “once again calls on all states that have not yet recognized the State of Palestine to take this principled decision as soon as possible,” as the statement further proclaimed.
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Jordan deems recognition an important step
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi hailed the coordinated move by Ireland, Norway, and Spain.
“We value this decision and consider it an important and essential step towards a two-state solution that embodies an independent, sovereign Palestinian state along the July 1967 borders,” he reiterated.
Saudi praises European countries’ recognition of Palestine
The Saudi Arabia Foreign Ministry has praised the European countries’ recognition of Palestine.
Indeed, the “positive decision taken by the Kingdom of Norway, the Kingdom of Spain, and the Republic of Ireland to recognize the sisterly State of Palestine,” has been welcomed.
“The kingdom appreciates this decision issued by friendly countries, which affirms the international consensus on the inherent right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, and calls on the rest of the countries to quickly make the same decision,” the official statement reads.
Qatar considers decision key to achieving just peace
Qatar Foreign Ministry has called the move an “important step in supporting the two-state solution and achieving peace and stability in the region”.
More importantly, “achieving comprehensive and just peace in the region depends on the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital,” reads the official statement.
“The ministry also stresses the need to end the war on the Gaza Strip immediately and return to the political track as the only guarantee to achieve stability in the region,” it later highlighted.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs voices the State of Qatar’s hope for more countries to recognize the State of Palestine and promote the efforts aiming to implement the two-state solution,” it concluded.
Hamas credited ‘brave resistance’ prompted recognition
“These successive recognitions are the direct result of this brave resistance and the legendary steadfastness of the Palestinian people,” proclaimed Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas political bureau member.
Also, “we believe this will be a turning point in the international position on the Palestinian issue,” he indicated.
PLO hailed ‘historical’ recognitions of Palestinian state
Undeniably, these consecutive moves are “historical moments in which the free world triumphs for truth and justice”, expressed Hussein Al-Sheikh, Secretary General of the PLO executive committee.
France does not consider Palestinian statehood a taboo
“Our position is clear: the recognition of a Palestinian state is not a taboo for France,” Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné shared in a statement.
However, “France does not consider that the conditions have been present to date for this decision to have a real impact in this process,” it further explains.
UK denounces it as ‘not right time’ to recognize State of Palestine
“We have a longstanding position on this that we will be prepared to recognize the State of Palestine at the time that it most helps the peace process, and we will continue to keep that under review,” stated Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt.
Therefore, the position of the UK government is that it is “not the right time to do it at the moment,” he decried the decisions of European states.
