On Wednesday, May 22, Ireland, Norway, and Spain announced their recognition of the State of Palestine. Subsequently, Israel recalled its ambassadors from these three countries. The White House asserted that the establishment of Palestinian statehood should be achieved through negotiations between Israel and Palestine, rather than through unilateral recognition.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz ordered the immediate recall of the Israeli ambassadors to the three European countries following their decision to recognize the State of Palestine. He criticized the countries for rewarding Hamas and Iran by recognizing Palestine after Hamas committed what he called the world’s most horrific crimes, including a massacre of Jewish people.
Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris stated during a press conference in Dublin that Ireland, along with Norway and Spain, would take all necessary national measures to implement their decision to recognize Palestine.
Micheál Martin, the Irish Foreign Minister, mentioned that the recognition would become effective on May 28 in the aforementioned three countries.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre emphasized the need for peace and stability to be achieved on the basis of resolving the Palestinian issue, particularly highlighting the devastation of the Gaza conflict as a clear indication.
Støre stated, “Thousands were killed and injured during the war, and we must preserve the only thing that can provide a safe home for both Israelis and Palestinians: two states that can coexist peacefully.”
Norway has long stressed that recognition of a Palestinian state would only occur when Palestine can positively impact the peace process, a stance consistent with that of the United States. However, the U.S. has emphasized that this can only be achieved through negotiations between Israel and Palestine.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez clarified his country’s recognition of Palestine by stating that it is not against the Israeli people or Jews, nor does it support Hamas. Instead, he noted that the recognition is in support of coexistence.
Following Madrid’s decision to recognize the State of Palestine, Israel’s Foreign Minister issued orders to recall the country’s ambassador to Spain.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry, in a statement, mentioned that in addition to recalling the ambassador to Spain, Minister Katz also summoned the ambassadors of Norway and Ireland for a “rebuke,” during which they would view graphic footage of Hamas’ brutal attacks on Israel on October 7 last year.
Katz remarked, “History will remember that Spain, Norway, and Ireland chose to award medals to murderers and rapists of Hamas, who rape young girls and burn babies. Israel will not let such actions go unanswered – their actions will have serious consequences.”
Before this announcement, around 143 out of the 193 member states of the United Nations had recognized Palestine, but few European countries had done so.
The Biden administration responded to Spain, Norway, and Ireland’s recognition of Palestine by reiterating its support for a two-state solution and commitment to seeking a resolution through diplomatic negotiations between the two sides.
A spokesperson for the National Security Council told CNN on Wednesday, “The President is a staunch supporter of a two-state solution, and has been throughout his career. He believes that a Palestinian state should be achieved through direct negotiations between the parties, not through unilateral recognition.”
Last weekend, President Biden expressed his support for a two-state solution during a speech at Morehouse College, referring to it as the “only solution for the peaceful, secure, and dignified lives of both peoples.”
In a call with reporters on Tuesday, an official stated that the United States was discussing these ideas with other Arab leaders and Israel to coordinate the specifics of the post-conflict stages of both countries, a process that is “still ongoing.”
France expressed on Wednesday that it wasn’t the “right time” to recognize the statehood of Palestine together with EU neighboring countries Ireland and Spain.