Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris announced on Wednesday that his country recognizes Palestine, in a joint declaration with Oslo and Madrid. Harris stated, “Today, Ireland, Norway, and Spain announce their recognition of the State of Palestine,” adding that it is “a historic and significant day for Ireland and Palestine.” He further expressed confidence that more countries will join them in this step.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez confirmed his intention to announce the recognition of an independent Palestinian state on May 28th, reaffirming a report earlier published by the El Confidencial news site.
In parallel, the Norwegian Prime Minister declared that his country will officially recognize Palestine as a state. Jonas Gahr Støre stated on Wednesday, “There can be no peace in the Middle East without recognition” of Palestine. He added that Norway will recognize the Palestinian state as of May 28th.
Prior to this, official Norwegian sources reported that the Norwegian government would announce recognition of an independent Palestinian state on Wednesday. Meanwhile, an informed source indicated that the Irish government would also announce recognition of a Palestinian state on the same day.
A European internal document suggests the European Union proposes holding a peace conference in the Middle East at the end of June 2024. The document discusses the possibility of holding a preparatory peace conference in the Middle East without the participation of the conflicting parties, proposing a preparatory peace conference at the end of June 2024 in Europe or an Arab country.
The European document also suggests imposing sanctions on any party that opposes the outcomes of the preparatory peace conference.
France: Conditions Not Ripe Now
French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné stated on Wednesday that recognizing Palestine “is not taboo” for France, but Paris believes that the conditions are not currently ripe “to have a real impact” on the process aimed at establishing two states. He affirmed in a written statement to Agence France-Presse, “Such a decision must be beneficial, allowing decisive progress on the political front. In this context, this decision should be made at the right time” to make a difference.
Israel Issues Warning
In response, Israel summoned its ambassadors to Ireland and Norway “for urgent consultations” after these countries moved towards recognizing Palestine.
Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said in a statement, “Today, I send a strongly worded message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent on this matter. Instructions have been given for the Israeli ambassadors in Dublin and Oslo to return to Israel for further consultations.”
According to Lapid, “The hasty steps of these countries will have serious consequences, and if Spain follows through with its promise to recognize the Palestinian state, steps will be taken against it.”
Finance Minister Avigdor Smotrich sent a message to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urging him to take action against the Palestinian Authority. Smotrich called for the approval of thousands of settlements in response to countries recognizing the Palestinian state. He also stated that he does not intend to transfer any funds to the Palestinian Authority.
Decoupling Plan Canceled
In a new development, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced the cancellation of the “decoupling plan” in the northern West Bank, allowing for the reconstruction of three settlements.
Meanwhile, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound for the first time since the Gaza war began.
This comes as the war on Gaza continues, with increased arrests in the West Bank and incursions as well.
Palestinians Welcome
The Palestine Liberation Organization welcomed on Wednesday the recognition of European countries of the State of Palestine and considered the steps taken by Ireland, Norway, and Spain as “historic.”
Executive Committee Secretary Hussein Al-Sheikh stated via his account on the X platform that these are “historic moments where the free world triumphs for truth and justice after decades of Palestinian national struggle, suffering, pain, occupation, racism, murder, oppression, and destruction endured by the Palestinian people.”
Hamas deemed the recognition of three European countries of the Palestinian state as a “significant step” towards consolidating the rights of Palestinians in their land and establishing their state, calling on all countries to take the same action.
Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, and Malta, EU member states, have indicated in recent weeks that they intend to recognize a Palestinian state, considering the two-state solution necessary for permanent peace in the region.
The Irish government stated on Tuesday evening that the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister would speak to the media on Wednesday morning, but did not provide details.
Irish Deputy Prime Minister Michael Martin earlier this month announced that his country would recognize the Palestinian state by the end of the month.
Palestinians commemorated the 76th anniversary of the Nakba a week ago, as a potentially larger catastrophe unfolds in Gaza, where over half a million people have been displaced in recent days due to the fighting.
Israel has intensified its military operations in Rafah, the city along the southern border of the Gaza Strip with Egypt, as well as in northern Gaza, where Hamas has reorganized its ranks.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) previously stated that about 450,000 Palestinians were displaced from Rafah over the past two weeks.
In northern Gaza, Israeli evacuation orders have led to the displacement of at least 100,000 people so far.
Approximately 80% of Gaza’s population – totaling 2.3 million people – have fled their homes since the outbreak of the war, with many moving multiple times.
About 1.1 million Palestinians are on the brink of famine, according to the United Nations, while widespread famine prevails in the north of the Strip.
Israel views Rafah as the last stronghold of Hamas, disregarding warnings from the United States and other allies that any major operation there would be catastrophic for civilians.
Seven months of war have resulted in the deaths of more than 35,000 people in Gaza, most of them women and children, according to local health officials.
The war began on October 7th when Hamas attacked southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of about 1,200 people there and the capture of about 250 hostages.
Israel claims that militants still hold about 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others.