The Prime Ministers of Norway, Ireland and Spain have declared their intention to recognise the Palestinian State. In response, Israel recalled its ambassadors to Ireland and Norway

These statements aroused Israel’s anger. On Wednesday 22 May, several European countries announced that they would recognise the Palestinian State from Tuesday 28 May. The Norwegian Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, was the first to announce this decision, followed by his Irish and Spanish counterparts, Simon Harris and Pedro Sánchez.

‘The government has decided to recognise the State of Palestine’, declared Jonas Gahr Støre at a press conference in Oslo, adding that the decision would take effect on 28 May. He also urged other countries to follow suit

A historic day Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez confirmed that Spain would recognise the Palestinian State on the same day. ‘On Tuesday 28 May, Spain will adopt this recognition in the Council of Ministers’, he told the Spanish media. He criticised Benjamin Netanyahu’s policy, accusing him of threatening the two-state solution.

Simon Harris, the Irish Prime Minister, also made a similar announcement. ‘Today, Ireland, Norway and Spain recognise the State of Palestine,’ he said, describing the day as ‘historic and important for Ireland and Palestine.’

Israeli reaction

In response, the Israeli Foreign Ministry recalled its ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for consultations.

‘Israel will not remain silent in the face of this decision’, declared Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, in a press release. He criticised these countries for having, in his view, rewarded Hamas and Iran by recognising a Palestinian state, describing the decision as an ‘injustice’ to the victims of 7 October and an attack on Israel’s right to defend itself.

Hamas welcomed the announcements as an ‘important step’ towards recognising their right to a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.