Spain, Ireland and Norway have officially recognized Palestine as an independent state, a decision that angered Israel, which responded by saying it was supporting Hamas. 

At the same time, the UN Security Council is being convened today in the shadow of Israel’s bloody attack on Rafah. 

The three European nations say that their landmark decision is the best way to achieve lasting peace in the Middle East and it has already drawn swift condemnation from Israel, as its Foreign Minister ordered the immediate withdrawal of its ambassadors from those countries.

It should be noted that over 140 of the 193 member states of the United Nations have officially recognized the Palestinian state; yet only a few European Union states are among them. 

It is recalled that on May 10, a non-binding vote in the UN General Assembly showed overwhelming international support for an independent Palestinian state, leaving the US and some of Israel’s allies isolated. Israel and the US argue that a Palestinian state should only be created through a negotiated settlement.

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The Spanish government officially recognized the Palestinian state today as it had previously announced, during the meeting of the Cabinet, according to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jose Manuel Albarez.

For its part, the Irish government announced that it recognizes Palestine as a sovereign and independent state and intends to develop full diplomatic relations between Dublin and Ramallah. Ireland will appoint an ambassador to the State of Palestine and an Irish embassy, ​​based in Ramallah.

Norway’s Foreign Minister said that the decision marks a milestone in the relationship between Norway and Palestine. At the same time, the Slovenian government will consider a similar proposal this week, according to Prime Minister Robert Golomb.

The recognition symbolizes the enormous pressure Israel is under after seven months of war in Gaza, a war that has caused a massive humanitarian crisis and killed more than 36,000 people since October 7. The move follows an order by the International Court of Justice in the Hague for Israel to immediately stop its military operation in Rafah.

With information from: CNN Greece

Also read: Gaza | Israeli strikes in Rafah against order of the International Court of Justice

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