Tensions in the Middle East: Spain, Ireland and Norway recognize the State of Palestine while Israel takes diplomatic measures
The official recognition of an independent Palestinian State by the three countries will come into force on Tuesday (28). Diplomats were summoned to Tel Aviv by Israel to obtain more information. Since the military incursion into Gaza, countries have shown opposition to the Netanyahu government.
During a press conference, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris announced that Ireland, Norway and Spain will recognize Palestine as an independent state - Photo Reproduction/Internet
The Middle East has been a region of constant tensions and conflicts, especially around the Palestinian issue and the existence of the State of Israel. Since the creation of Israel in 1948, the Palestinian issue has been one of the most complex and controversial on the international scene. International recognition of the State of Palestine has been a central theme in peace negotiations and diplomatic relations between different countries.This Wednesday (22) Norway, Spain and Ireland announced the recognition of an independent Palestinian State.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris reported that recognition will be formalized next Tuesday (28). The joint decision was taken after the approval, at the beginning of the month, of a resolution by the UN General Assembly that paves the way for the recognition of Palestine as a member state of the organization.
Since the beginning of Israel's bombings and ground incursion into Gaza in response to the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7, the governments of Spain and Ireland have demonstrated opposition to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Recognition of Palestine by Spain, Ireland and Norway
The war left Gaza in ruins, with the population lacking sanitation and on the brink of starvation, according to international organizations. More than 35 thousand people have already died, most of them civilians, as reported by the Gaza Ministry of Health, controlled by Hamas. In the terrorist incursion into Israel, Hamas killed more than 1,200 people and took hundreds of hostages.
Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris stated at a press conference that expects other countries to take similar measures in the coming weeks. He also mentioned that prior to the announcement he spoke with several other leaders and is confident that more nations will join us in taking this important step in the coming weeks. Harris also stated that the two-state solution is the only path to achieving peace and security for Israel, Palestine and their people.
Spaniard Pedro Sánchez criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling for a ceasefire. However, he highlighted that this is not enough. According to Sánchez, Netanyahu ignores the calls and continues to penalize the Palestinian population. Sánchez claims that it is legitimate and necessary to combat the terrorist group Hamas, however, Netanyahu is causing a significant amount of suffering, destruction and resentment in Gaza and the rest of Palestine, putting the two-state solution at risk.
Norway, a mediator in several peace negotiations in the past, including the 1993 Oslo Accords, has also formally recognized the State of Palestine. Norway highlighted its ongoing commitment to peace and justice, and its intention to work with all parties involved to achieve a peaceful solution.
Israel's Reactions
This decision was enthusiastically received by Palestinian leaders and Palestinian rights advocates around the world. The three European countries highlighted the importance of a two-state solution as a path to lasting peace in the region. However, Israel's response to these recognitions was immediate and firm. The Israeli government condemned the actions of the three European countries, claiming that such unilateral recognition harms the peace process and encourages extremism.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Wednesday that it had determined the immediate withdrawal of its ambassadors to Ireland, Norway and Spain, in response to the change in stance regarding the recognition of a Palestinian State. The ambassadors of the three countries in Tel Aviv were also called to the Israeli Foreign Ministry. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz stated that the decision to recognize a Palestinian state weakened Israel's right to self-defense and efforts to release the 128 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
“Israel will not remain silent,” said Katz. “We are determined to achieve our goals: restoring the security of our citizens and the removal of Hamas and the return of the hostages. There are no fairer goals than these," said Katz.
Recognition at the UN
On May 10, the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) approved a resolution that paves the way for Palestine's accession as a full member of the United Nations, granting "new rights and privileges" to Palestinians. The resolution calls on the UN Security Council to approve Palestine's entry as the 194th member of the United Nations. This measure was approved with 143 votes in favor, nine votes against and 25 abstentions. Brazil expressed support for the resolution, while Argentina, Israel, the United States, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau and Papua New Guinea voted against the measure.
For Palestine to achieve recognition as an "observer state" by the UN, the proposal must be approved by the Security Council, which seems unlikely due to the United States' veto power in the body. Despite this, the president of the Palestinian National Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, highlighted that this initiative represents a significant step forward towards the full recognition of Palestine as a member of the UN.
Impact on the Peace Process
The recognition of Palestine by these three European countries and Israel's subsequent diplomatic measures illustrate the complexity and volatility of the conflict in the Middle East. While recognition is seen by many as a step toward justice and conflict resolution, Israel and its allies argue that such actions could undermine peace talks.
The international community remains divided over the best way to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, the recognition of Palestine by Spain, Ireland and Norway puts additional pressure on the parties involved to find a lasting solution.
Obstacles to Creating a Palestinian State
Although international recognition is an important step, the realization of the Palestinian State faces several challenges. Since 2007, the Palestinian territories have been divided between two rival groups: Fatah, which governs the West Bank, and Hamas, which governs Gaza. Furthermore, the West Bank has Israeli settlements protected by the Israel Defense Forces, which exercise control over the territory, including establishing checkpoints for the Palestinians who live there.
There are defenders of Israel's right to occupy the West Bank, such as members of the Netanyahu government, such as the Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir. However, establishing a viable Palestinian state would require the removal of hundreds of thousands of Israeli settlers.people in the region.
