Hear
BARCELONA.- In an unprecedented decision, Norway, Ireland and Spain announced this Wednesday the recognition of the Palestinian State and they announced that the measure will become official on May 28. The news provoked the condemnation of Israelwhich ordered the immediate withdrawal of its ambassadors in Norway and Ireland and shortly after reacted in the same way with respect to the country chaired by Pedro Sánchez.
This statement comes in a context of humanitarian crisis triggered in the Gaza Strip after the offensive with which the Israeli Army responded to the insurgent assault of the terrorist group Hamas over southern Israel on October 7.
Norway was the first to announce that it was going to recognize a Palestinian state. The first Minister Jonas Gahr Store He said that “there can be no peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition.” “By accepting a Palestinian State, Norway supports the Arab peace plan,” said the official, noting that his country “will, therefore, consider Palestine as an independent State with all the rights and obligations that entails.”.
In the last weeks, Several European Union (EU) countries indicated they planned to take the same step, arguing that a two-state solution is essential to achieving lasting peace in the region.. This announcement could generate momentum for the recognition of the Palestinian state by other countries in the bloc and could lead to new initiatives at the United Nations, expanding Israel’s isolation.
Norway, which is not part of the EU but reflects its movements, was a fervent supporter of that solution to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. “The terror was committed by Hamas and insurgent groups that are not in favor of a two-state solution and the State of Israel”, stated the head of the Norwegian government. The recognition of that country occurs more than 30 years after the signing of the first Oslo Agreement in 1993.
A little later, the Prime Minister of Ireland, Simon Harrisexplained in his announcement that the three nations coordinated “on a historic and important day for Ireland and Palestine.” “The decision aims to contribute to advancing the resolution of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians through a two-state solution”, he added. The official said that he believes that “in the coming weeks” other countries will join the Dublin, Oslo and Madrid initiative.
For its part, The president of the government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, said in an appearance in Parliament that the country will recognize Palestine as a State on May 28. “We know that our initiative will not give back to the Palestinians the time or lives lost, but we trust that it will give them two very important things for the present and the future: hope and dignity”marked the socialist leader.
“[El reconocimiento] “It is not an act against anyone, it is not against the Israeli people,” said Sánchez, who added that it could cause diplomatic tensions with the Israeli authorities. “It is an act of peace, justice and coherence”, he stressed. In his view, the measure is necessary to support the viability of the two-state solution, which “is in serious danger” with the war in Gaza.
“I have been talking for weeks and months with many leaders in the region and outside it (…), and if I have one thing clear it is that the prime minister [de Israel, Benjamin] Netanyahu does not have a peace project for Palestine, although the fight against the terrorist group is legitimate“added the president of the Spanish government. At the beginning of the month, his Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, said that he had informed the United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, about the government’s intention.
The decision by these three countries comes as Israeli forces launch attacks on the north and south of the Gaza Strip, causing a new exodus of hundreds of thousands of people and drastically restricting the entry of humanitarian aid to the besieged area. enclave, increasing the risk of famine.
After hearing the news, Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, ordered the immediate return of the ambassadors in Ireland and Norway. “These countries intend to send a message to the Palestinians and the entire world: terrorism pays”, he indicated before Spain’s announcement. Shortly after, according to what was published by The countrythe official took the same measure towards the socialist government of Sánchez, highlighting that the announcement represents “granting a medal to Hamas” and He warned that “there will be serious consequences.”
According to the Israeli minister, this recognition could hinder efforts to return Israeli hostages held in Gaza and make a ceasefire less likely by “rewarding the jihadists and Iran.”
Agencies AP, AFP and Reuters
THE NATION
