Amidst ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza, Norway, Ireland, and Spain made a historic decision to recognize a Palestinian state. This move, while largely symbolic, highlights Israel’s increasing isolation on the global stage. Following the announcements, Israel denounced the decisions and recalled its ambassadors to the three countries.
Palestinian officials welcomed the recognition as a long-awaited affirmation of their quest for statehood in territories currently controlled by Israel. The decision comes at a time when criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza is mounting, even from its traditional allies.
The move took many by surprise, but discussions about recognizing a Palestinian state have been ongoing in European Union countries for weeks. The decision is seen as a push towards a two-state solution, following the collapse of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians 15 years ago.
The recognition was met with backlash from Israel, who accused the European countries of rewarding Hamas for their actions triggering the conflict. In response, Israel took retaliatory actions, including stopping the transfer of tax revenue to the Palestinian Authority.
While the announcement is unlikely to have an immediate impact on the conflict in Gaza, it marks a significant step towards Palestinian self-determination. This move has been hailed as a crucial step in the pursuit of peace and justice in the region.