Spain, Norway and Ireland recognize Palestinian state amid growing criticism of Israel

Spain, Norway and Ireland moved to formally recognize a Palestinian state on Tuesday in a coordinated effort by the three western European nations designed to add international pressure on Israel to soften its devastating response to last year's Hamas-led attack, AP reports. 

Spain will recognize a Palestinian state, including the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, unified under the Palestinian National Authority and with East Jerusalem as its capital, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced on Tuesday. 

Sanchez made the remarks in a declaration prior to a cabinet meeting, which is set to approve Spain's official recognition of Palestine's statehood.

"It's a historic decision, which has the only goal of helping Israelis and Palestinians achieve peace," he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz, the leader of government coalition partner Sumar, also described the day as "historic." Meanwhile, she called for an arms embargo on Israel, saying recognizing Palestine was not enough.

Ireland and Norway soon joined Spain in formalizing a decision they had jointly announced the previous week. The Palestinian flag was raised in Dublin outside Leinster House, the seat of the Irish parliament, the AP report added. 

"This is an important moment, and I think it sends a signal to the world that there are practical actions you can take as a country to help keep the hope and destination of a two-state solution alive at a time when others are trying to sadly bomb it into oblivion," Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said before his cabinet meets to formally sign off on the decision.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said in a statement that "for more than 30 years, Norway has been one of the strongest advocates for a Palestinian state. Today, when Norway officially recognizes Palestine as a state, is a milestone in the relationship between Norway and Palestine."

Rift widens

Out of the 27 member countries of the European Union, Sweden, Cyprus, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria have already recognized a Palestinian state. Malta and Slovenia indicated they could follow, Reuters reported on Tuesday.

Britain and Australia have said they are considering recognition. Still, EU member France has said now is not the time. However, Germany joined Israel's staunchest ally, the U.S., in rejecting recognition, instead calling for dialogue to achieve a two-state solution, the Reuters report added.

The rift between Western countries over Palestine and the two-state solution is growing, Dong Manyuan, a researcher on Middle East issues at the China Institute of International Studies, told CGTN. He added that the U.S. has chosen to follow a solitary path of practicing double standards in favor of Israel.

More and more countries, including Western countries, are progressively recognizing or considering recognizing the State of Palestine, indicating the widespread international acknowledgment of the Palestinian state, Dong said, adding that identifying the Palestinian National Authority as the sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinians has become a trend of the times, promoting the realization of the "two-state solution" and the eventual attainment of a just and permanent resolution to the Palestinian issue.

Dong said that Israel is determined to eliminate Hamas and is not afraid to confront the whole world. The recognition of the Palestinian state by many Western countries can hardly stop the Israeli military operations in Gaza, including in Rafah, nor can it affect the "ceasefire-for-hostage" deal talks, he added.

(With input from agencies)