Spain and Ireland officially recognized the State of Palestine on Tuesday, according to announcements from both governments.
The Spanish government’s formal declaration came during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning.
Before the meeting, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez delivered a televised address from the Prime Minister’s office in Madrid, calling the decision “historic” with the sole aim of helping Israelis and Palestinians achieve peace.
He emphasized that the recognition of Palestine is not against any party, especially Israel, a nation Spain holds in high regard and with whom it seeks the best possible relations.
Sánchez called for a permanent ceasefire, increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, and the release of hostages held by Hamas since October 7.
He also stated that Spain will recognize a Palestinian state encompassing Gaza and the West Bank, unified under the Palestinian National Authority, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Furthermore, Spain will not recognize any changes to the Palestinian borders post-1967 unless agreed upon by all parties.
On the same day, the Irish government also announced its official recognition of the State of Palestine and its intention to appoint an ambassador to Palestine. Norway is expected to follow suit with a similar announcement later on Tuesday.
The three countries stated on May 22 that their decision to recognize an independent Palestine would take effect on Tuesday.
While dozens of countries already recognize Palestine as a state, the growing momentum among European nations is expected to have significant implications in the near future. Although largely symbolic, the decision isolates Israel further on the international stage.
According to Western media reports, the most significant aspect of these new recognitions is the erosion of the United States’ “monopoly” over the Israeli-Palestinian peace process since the Oslo Accords in 1993.
