22-5-2024 (OSLO) In a move that has dealt a diplomatic blow to Israel, Norway, Ireland, and Spain announced on Wednesday their formal recognition of a Palestinian state, citing the need to revive prospects for a political solution amid the ongoing conflict.
“In the midst of a war, with tens of thousands killed and injured, we must keep alive the only alternative that offers a political solution for Israelis and Palestinians alike,” Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre declared. “Two states, living side by side, in peace and security.”
Speaking at a news conference in Dublin shortly after, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris expressed hope that the decision to recognize a Palestinian state would “offer hope and encouragement to the people of Palestine at one of their darkest hours.”
Israel swiftly reacted by ordering its ambassadors from Ireland and Norway to immediately return, and said it would take similar action with Spain.
“Ireland and Norway intend to send a message today to the Palestinians and the whole world: terrorism pays,” Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in a scathing rebuke.
He argued that the recognition could impede efforts to secure the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza and make a ceasefire less likely by “rewarding the jihadists of Hamas and Iran.”
The move comes as the Israeli military continues to expand operations in both southern and northern Gaza, the Palestinian enclave where more than 35,000 people have been killed in seven months of war, according to local health officials. It also follows the International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor’s announcement of plans to seek arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, and others for alleged war crimes in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
In recent weeks, Ireland had signaled its intention to recognize Palestinian statehood by the end of the month, a bid strongly opposed by Israel, as well as any fresh push for a two-state solution following the October 7 attacks.
In a post on X aimed at Ireland on Tuesday, Israel’s foreign ministry warned the country that “recognizing a Palestinian state will lead to more terrorism, instability in the region and jeopardize any prospects for peace.”
“Don’t be a pawn in the hands of Hamas,” it cautioned.
Prior to Wednesday, more than 140 of the 193 member states of the United Nations recognized Palestinian statehood, with no Group of Seven nations among them.
While President Joe Biden has stated that his administration is working to “finally get a two-state solution,” which he has described as “the only solution,” the United States does not formally recognize a Palestinian state.
Netanyahu has repeatedly maintained that the recognition of Palestinian statehood in the wake of Hamas’ October 7 attacks, in which some 1,200 people were killed and around 250 others taken hostage according to Israeli officials, would effectively be a reward for Hamas.
