Ireland, Norway, and Spain Announce Recognition of Palestinian State Effective May 28

May 22, 2024, 07:19 AM

Ireland, Norway, and Spain have announced their formal recognition of Palestine as an independent state. The coordinated announcements were made by the respective prime ministers, including Ireland's Prime Minister Simon Harris, Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, and Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, with Harris calling it a 'historic and important day.' The recognition is set to take effect on May 28, 2024. This move aligns with the positions of 139 out of 193 UN member states that already recognize Palestinian statehood. The recognition is based on the 1967 borders. Israel has responded by recalling its ambassadors from Ireland and Norway for consultations, with Foreign Minister Israel Katz stating that Israel will not remain silent on this issue. The recognition is seen as a significant step towards supporting Palestinian sovereignty and contributing to peace and reconciliation in the Middle East.