Spain, Ireland, Norway Set Date To Recognise Palestine As Israel Kicks, Recalls Ambassadors
Norway, Ireland and Spain have said they will recognise a Palestinian state, a move that has been condemned by Israel.
However, this has triggered jubilation from the Palestinians.
Israel has subsequently recalled its ambassadors to Norway and Ireland for consultations.
In November, Israel recalled its ambassador to Spain after President Pedro Sanchez expressed doubts that Israel was complying with international law.
It came after several European Union countries recently indicated they plan to make the recognition, arguing a two-state solution is essential for lasting peace in the region.
Spain, Ireland and Norway said Wednesday that they would recognize a Palestinian state on May 28, Al Jazeera reports.
The announcement came amid international outrage over the civilian death toll and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip following Israel’s offensive.
Currently, seven members of the 27-nation European Union officially recognise a Palestinian state. Five of them are former east bloc countries who announced recognition in 1988, as did Cyprus, before joining the bloc. Sweden announced recognition in 2014.
The Czech Republic, an EU member, says that the 1988 recognition by the former Czechoslovakia — of which it then formed a part — does not apply to the modern state.
Slovakia’s Foreign Ministry says that the two sides confirmed their recognition as Slovakia was becoming independent in 1992-93. The Palestinian state has had a fully functioning embassy in Bratislava since 2006.
EU members Malta and Slovenia say they may follow suit, though not immediately.
