Ireland, Norway, Spain To Recognize a Palestinian State, Infuriating Israel

Israel has recalled its ambassadors from the three nations

Ireland, Norway, and Spain announced on Wednesday that they will recognize Palestine as a state, a move that has infuriated Israel and drawn criticism from the White House.

“Today, Ireland, Norway, and Spain are announcing that we recognize the state of Palestine. Each of us will now undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision,” said Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris.

The three countries will formally recognize the state of Palestine on May 28 and will join over 140 UN member states that already do.

In response, Israel recalled its ambassadors from the three nations and summoned the Irish, Norwegian, and Spanish envoys in Israel for “a severe reprimand conversation,” according to Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz. “History will remember that Spain, Norway, and Ireland chose to reward Hamas murderers and rapists,” Katz said.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also responded and said Israel will withhold tax revenue to the Palestinian Authority, which administers part of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Smotrich is a West Bank settler and favors the expansion of settlements with the ultimate goal of annexing the Palestinian territory.

The White House criticized the move from Ireland, Norway, and Spain, saying a Palestinian state shouldn’t be unilaterally recognized. A National Security Council spokesperson said President Biden believes “a Palestinian state should be realized through direct negotiations between the parties, not through unilateral recognition.”

The spokesperson claimed Biden was a “strong supporter of a two-state solution,” but he continues to back Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has rejected the idea of a Palestinian state in “any future arrangement.” The US also recently vetoed a UN Security Council resolution to give Palestine full UN membership.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.