Spain, Norway, and Ireland Formally Recognize a Palestinian State

Spain, Norway, and Ireland formally recognized a Palestinian state on Tuesday, a move that doesn’t change the situation on the ground for Palestinians but is meant to pile on the international pressure on Israel.

The three European countries join over 140 nations that already recognize Palestine as a state. The recognition comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected the idea of Palestinian statehood in any future scenario.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in a televised address that “this is a historic decision that has a single goal, and that is to help Israelis and Palestinians achieve peace.”

Israeli officials are fuming over the move by the three EU countries. In response to Sanchez’s comments, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused the Spanish leader of “being complicit in inciting genocide against Jews and war crimes.”

The recognition means that 10 out of 27 EU nations now recognize a Palestinian state, a position that puts them at odds with the US. When Spain, Norway, and Ireland first announced their plans, the Biden administration said President Biden believes “a Palestinian state should be realized through direct negotiations between the parties, not through unilateral recognition.”

Biden claims he favors a two-state solution but continues to back the Netanyahu government, which is explicitly opposed to the idea. The US also recently vetoed a UN Security Council resolution to give Palestine full UN membership.