The leaders of Norway, Ireland, and Spain have announced that they will formally recognize a Palestinian state on 28 May.
On Wednesday, Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said a two-state solution was in Israel’s best interest. He adds “There cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition.”
Gahr Store added, “Recognition of Palestine is a means of supporting the moderate forces which have been losing ground in this protracted and brutal conflict.”
Ireland’s Prime Minister Simon Harris and Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez followed suit soon after.
Ireland’s Foreign Minister Micheal Martin said “Today, we state clearly our unambiguous support for the equal right to security, dignity, and self-determination for the Palestinian and Israeli peoples.”
In his announcement, Pedro Sanchez accused Benjamin Netanyahu of endangering the two-state solution with his policy of “pain and destruction” in Gaza.
Sanchez added, “We hope that our recognition and our reasons contribute to other Western countries to follow this path, because the more we are, the more strength we will have to impose a ceasefire.”
Israel denounced the plans to recognize a Palestinian arguing that such a move is a “reward for terrorism.”
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Palestinian politician Mustafa Barghouti said that the move is a powerful step that brings “freedom and justice” closer for the Palestinian people.
Read more on Al Jazeera and BBC
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