Spain, Ireland, and Norway made headlines on May 28 by officially recognizing the State of Palestine, despite Israel’s objections and ongoing tensions in Gaza. Spain’s Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, emphasized the support for a peaceful coexistence with Israel by recognizing Palestine, including Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. This decision aligns Spain with 146 other UN member states. Ireland also elevated its mission in Ramallah to a full embassy status, emphasizing joint efforts with Spain and Norway to promote peace in the region. Norway, through its Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, formalized its recognition to Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa, reaffirming commitment to a two-state solution.
These diplomatic recognitions signal broader international backing for Palestinian statehood, aiming to push peace initiatives forward and encourage more EU countries to follow suit. Despite criticism from Israel, these recognitions represent significant support for Palestinian statehood and highlight the complexities of achieving lasting peace in the Middle East.