Spain, Ireland, Norway set to recognise Palestinian statehood

NEW DELHI: Spain, Ireland, and Norway are set to formally recognize a Palestinian state on Tuesday, despite Israel's furious response, following seven months of violence in Gaza.

The three countries join a majority of UN member states, including Russia, China, and India, in recognizing Palestinian statehood.

The decision by Madrid, Dublin, and Oslo is seen as a means to expedite efforts to achieve a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Although largely symbolic, the move is expected to gain traction and encourage other EU nations to follow suit. Spain and Ireland will be the most influential countries in the 27-member bloc to take this step, alongside several other EU members.

While some countries, such as Britain, Australia, Malta, and Slovenia, have signaled their intention to recognize a Palestinian state, France maintains that now is not the appropriate time. Germany and the United States, Israel's closest ally, reject a unilateral approach, emphasizing that a two-state solution can only be reached through dialogue.

According to Gaza's health ministry, the conflict, which began after Hamas militants crossed into Israel on Oct. 7, has claimed the lives of more than 36,000 Palestinians. Israel reports that the initial assault, the deadliest in its 75-year history, resulted in 1,200 deaths and over 250 hostages.

The three countries recognized a Palestinian state with pre-1967 borders and Jerusalem as the capital of both nations. This decision is expected to elevate diplomatic protocols, with representative offices in the West Bank being upgraded to full embassies.

In response, Israel has withdrawn its ambassadors from Madrid, Oslo, and Dublin, summoning the three countries' ambassadors to view videos of Israelis being held hostage by Hamas. Israel also prevented Spain from providing consular services to Palestinians in the West Bank and accused Spain of assisting Hamas. Spain has intensified its criticism, calling the Gaza conflict a "real genocide."

On Monday, Spain announced its intention to request that other EU members officially support last week's International Court of Justice order for Israel to stop its military offensive on Rafah, a city in southern Gaza.