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SvennoJ on 28 May 2024
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‘They cannot be condemned to be eternally refugee people’: Spain

Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares says recognition of a Palestinian state is for “justice” for the people of Palestine.

“We have recognised the state of Palestine as a full nation among the international community – with all the rights of statehood within international law,” he told Al Jazeera from Madrid.

“Of course, this is the first step. Next, we have to put in place a real and viable Palestinian state that will have Gaza and the West Bank under one single Palestinian Authority that will have continuity of the territory and, therefore, [be] connected by a corridor with an exit to the sea and a port in Gaza, and the capital in East Jerusalem,” Albares added.

“The recognition today is for justice for the Palestinian people. They cannot be condemned to be eternally refugee people.”

Asked whether some might see the recognition of a Palestinian state as largely symbolic because it won’t change the reality on the ground, Jose Manuel Albares says there are three points to consider:

  • “It is not the same thing to sit around the table when you’re a sovereign state negotiating with another sovereign state. And that’s why the recognition of the State of Palestine is important.
  • “The Palestinian Authority has been asking us, our Palestinian friends, have told us it is important.”
  • “It will not bring peace by itself. That is the beginning of a process. That’s why yesterday in the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union, we have decided by unanimity to use the Council of Association between the EU and Israel to invite our Israeli colleague to come to explain to us what is happening in Gaza and why he’s not abiding by the International Court of Justice ruling that says the attack on Rafah … must stop immediately.”

 

Recognition of Palestine a ‘milestone’, Norwegian foreign minister says

Espen Barth Eide says Norway’s recognition of a Palestinian state is a clear message of support to “moderate forces” in both Palestine and Israel.

“For over 30 years, Norway has been one of the strongest advocates of a Palestinian state. Norway’s recognition of Palestine as a state today represents a milestone in Norwegian-Palestinian relations,” Eide said in a statement.

“Norway’s recognition of Palestine as a state is a clear message of support to the moderate forces in both countries.”