Ireland, Norway, and Spain recently made headlines by officially recognizing Palestine as an independent state.
This move prompted Israel to recall its ambassadors from two of these European nations.
In a statement on Wednesday, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris declared, “Today Ireland, Norway, and Spain are announcing that we recognize the state of Palestine, each of us will undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision.”
Similarly, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre affirmed on Wednesday that Norway would formally recognize Palestinian statehood, a decision staunchly opposed by Israel.
This announcement from Norway comes amidst a broader movement within several European countries to recognize Palestine as a state, with the belief that it could advance the prospects for peace in the region.
However, the Israeli government swiftly rejected any unilateral attempts to impose a Palestinian state, stating, “Recognizing a Palestinian state will lead to more terrorism, instability in the region, and jeopardize any prospects for peace.”
Responding to the latest decisions of these European states, Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, announced the recall of the country’s ambassadors from Norway and Ireland.
“I have instructed the immediate recall of Israel’s ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for consultations in light of these countries’ decisions to recognize a Palestinian state,” Katz stated.
“I’m sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the face of those undermining its sovereignty and endangering its security,” he added in a post on X.
It’s expected that Ireland will soon announce a similar decision as Norway, following Norwegian Støre’s statement that his country would formally recognize Palestinian statehood on May 28.
