Norway to recognise Palestinian state: Reports
Norway’s government will announce today that it recognises an independent Palestinian state, public broadcaster NRK and daily Aftenposten have reported, citing unnamed sources.
The reports from Norway come as Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is set to announce today a date for formally recognising Palestinian statehood.
Ireland is also expected to announce today its plans for the recognition of Palestine.
How many countries recognise an independent Palestinian state?
We have been reporting that, according to media reports, Norway is likely to recognise Palestine as an independent state today. Ireland and Spain are also likely to announce plans for the recognition of a Palestinian state.
So far, 143 of the 193 UN member states have recognised Palestine.
Currently, just eight of the 27 EU members – Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Sweden, and Cyprus – recognise Palestine as a state. Of those, only Sweden recognised Palestine as a sovereign state in 2014.
The EU does not recognise Palestine as a state despite multiple diplomatic efforts within the bloc.
All African states – excluding Cameroon and Eritrea – recognise Palestine as a state.
Norway will recognise Palestinian statehood on May 28
Gahr Store, speaking in Oslo, said Norway’s recognition of Palestine as a state will take place on May 28. “There cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition,” he said.
- We must keep alive the only alternative that offers a political solution for Israelis and Palestinians alike – two states, living side by side in peace and security.
- Recognition of Palestine can strengthen the moderate forces in Palestine, those working for a two-state solution. It can also strengthen moderate forces on the Israeli side and it can provide hope for the future for the Palestinians.
- This also sends a strong message to other countries to follow the example of Norway and a number of other European countries and recognise the state of Palestine.
- The ongoing war in Gaza has made it abundantly clear that achieving peace and stability must be predicated on resolving the Palestinian question.
- The goal is to achieve a Palestinian state that is politically cohesive and that derives from the Palestinian Authority.
- We believe the two-state solution is in Israel’s best interests.
Israel recalls envoys to Norway, Ireland for ‘urgent consultations’
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz is recalling his country’s ambassadors to Norway and Ireland over the two governments’ expected moves to formally recognise a Palestinian state.
“Today, I am sending a sharp message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not go over this in silence,” Katz said in a statement.
“I have just ordered the return of the Israeli ambassadors from Dublin and Oslo to Israel for further consultations in Jerusalem,” he added.
PM says Spain to recognise Palestine as a state
Pedro Sanchez, Spain’s prime minister, says the recognition will take place on May 28.
Speaking in the Spanish parliament, Pedro Sanchez has said that his Israeli counterpart, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is putting the two-state solution in “danger” with his policy of “pain and destruction” in Gaza.
“Next Tuesday, May 28, Spain’s cabinet will approve the recognition of the Palestinian state,” the Spanish prime minister said.
Last edited by SvennoJ - on 22 May 2024
