Sympathy grows for Palestine: Spain, Norway, Ireland recognize Palestine

Spain, Norway, and Ireland officially recognized Palestine as a state on Tuesday in a coordinated move aimed at increasing international pressure on Israel following last year’s Hamas-led attack. Tel Aviv criticized the diplomatic gesture, stating it would not immediately impact its ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Historic recognition

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced the decision in a televised address from Madrid, emphasizing its aim to facilitate peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

“This is a historic decision that has a single goal, and that is to help Israelis and Palestinians achieve peace,” Sanchez said on Tuesday.

This is an important moment: Ireland

Ireland and Norway swiftly followed Spain’s lead, formalizing a decision they had jointly announced the previous week. The Palestinian flag was raised outside Leinster House in Dublin, the seat of the Irish parliament.

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris hailed the move as a practical step to support the two-state solution amid efforts to undermine it.

“This is an important moment and I think it sends a signal to the world that there are practical actions you can take as a country to help keep the hope and destination of a two-state solution alive at a time when others are trying to sadly bomb it into oblivion,” Irish PM Harris stated.

Norway advocates for Palestinian state

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide described the recognition as a milestone in Norway’s longstanding support for a Palestinian state.

Underlining that Norway has been strongly advocating for a Palestinian state for more than 30 years Norwegian FM Espen Barth Eide said, “Today, when Norway officially recognizes Palestine as a state, it is a milestone in the relationship between Norway and Palestine.”

Slovenia’s Prime Minister Robert Golob recently announced that his government would decide on recognizing Palestine.

Relations between the E.U. and Israel have deteriorated following the recognitions, with Madrid calling for E.U. action against Israel for its actions in Rafah, Gaza.

Growing isolation for Israel

The move by Spain, Norway, and Ireland underscores Israel’s increasing isolation after months of conflict in Gaza.

Last week’s announcement of 3 European countries to officially recognize Palestine triggered a strong reaction from Israel, which summoned the ambassadors of Spain, Ireland, and Norway to the Foreign Ministry in Tel Aviv, where they were shown videos of a recent Hamas attack.

While over 140 countries have recognized Palestine, none of the major Western powers have done so. However, the addition of three European countries to this group represents a significant victory for Palestinian diplomacy and may pressure E.U. heavyweights like France and Germany to reconsider their stance.

While the U.S. and U.K. support the idea of an independent Palestinian state through negotiations, Israel insists on direct talks to resolve the conflict.

Furthermore, Israel faced widespread criticism after an airstrike on a Palestinian tent camp in Rafah, with Emmanuel Macron and Italy’s defense minister condemning the attack. Israel’s army prosecutor is investigating the incident.

Palestine gains more sympathy

One could say that Palestine is gaining more and more sympathy with recent developments. But what do these official recognitions mean? For Palestinians, recognition offers symbolic significance and practical benefits such as the ability to establish embassies. However, full statehood hinges on Israel’s acceptance, which seems distant amid the current deadlock in negotiations.