Why is it significant that Spain, Ireland, and Norway have announced their intention to recognize a Palestinian state?

On Wednesday, Spain, Ireland, and Norway announced their decision to recognize a Palestinian state on May 28th. This move, aligning with a longstanding Palestinian aspiration, comes amidst global condemnation of the civilian casualties and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip following Israel's offensive.

The nearly simultaneous announcements from two European Union nations, along with Norway, might ignite momentum towards the recognition of a Palestinian state by additional EU countries. This could also prompt further actions at the United Nations, potentially intensifying Israel's isolation on the international stage.

At present, seven out of the 27 member states of the European Union formally recognize a Palestinian state. Among them, five are former Eastern Bloc nations that declared recognition back in 1988, along with Cyprus, which recognized before joining the bloc. Sweden joined this group by announcing recognition in 2014.

The Czech Republic, as an EU member, asserts that the recognition extended by the former Czechoslovakia in 1988 does not automatically extend to the contemporary state. According to Slovakia's Foreign Ministry, mutual recognition between the two occurred during Slovakia's independence process in 1992-93. Furthermore, Slovakia notes that the Palestinian state has operated a fully functional embassy in Bratislava since 2006.

EU member states Malta and Slovenia have indicated that they might consider similar actions, although they are not planning to do so immediately.

Approximately 140 out of the roughly 190 countries represented in the United Nations have already extended recognition to a Palestinian state.

Let's examine the significance and implications of the recent European announcements:

What is the significance?

In 1947, a U.N. partition plan proposed the establishment of both a Jewish state and a Palestinian state. However, Palestinians and the broader Arab world rejected this plan because it would have allotted them less than half of the land, despite Palestinians constituting two-thirds of the population.

The Arab-Israeli conflict in the subsequent year resulted in Israel gaining additional territory, with Jordan taking control of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and Egypt assuming control over Gaza.

During the 1967 war, Israel captured all three territories, and despite decades of intermittent peace talks, a lasting resolution has remained elusive.

The United States, Britain, and other Western nations have supported the concept of an independent Palestinian state coexisting alongside Israel as a resolution to the enduring conflict in the Middle East. However, they emphasize that Palestinian statehood should be achieved through a negotiated agreement. Unfortunately, substantive negotiations have not taken place since 2009.

While the EU countries and Norway will not be recognizing an established state but rather the potential for one, the symbolic gesture serves to bolster the international standing of the Palestinians. It also increases the pressure on Israel to engage in negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict.

Furthermore, this action brings further attention to the Middle East matter in anticipation of the European Parliament elections scheduled for June 6-9.

What's prompting this action at this moment?

Israel is facing increasing diplomatic pressure as its conflict with Hamas continues for the eighth month. On May 11, the U.N. General Assembly made a significant decision by voting in favor of granting Palestine new "rights and privileges." This move reflects the growing international backing for a vote on full voting membership for Palestine. Currently, the Palestinian Authority holds observer status.

In March, the leaders of Spain, Ireland, Malta, and Slovenia stated their deliberation on recognizing a Palestinian state as a constructive step towards bringing an end to the conflict.

On Wednesday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez remarked, "This recognition is not directed against any party, including the Israeli people. It is a gesture in support of peace, justice, and ethical coherence."

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide informed The Associated Press that although the country has backed the creation of a Palestinian state for many years, recognition is viewed as "a card that you can only play once."

"We previously believed that recognition would occur at the conclusion of a process," he remarked. "However, we now understand that recognition should serve as a catalyst, enhancing the progression of the process."

What are the consequences of acknowledgment?

Although numerous countries have acknowledged a Palestinian state, none of the major Western powers have taken this step, and the impact of the actions by the three countries remains uncertain.

Nevertheless, their recognition would signify a notable achievement for the Palestinians, who perceive it as granting international legitimacy to their cause. Norway has announced plans to elevate its representative's office for Palestine to embassy status, although the intentions of Ireland and Spain remain unclear.

In the immediate future, there would probably be little change on the ground. Peace negotiations have reached an impasse, and Israel's staunch government remains resistant to the idea of Palestinian statehood.

HOW IS ISRAEL RESPONDING?

Israel, opposing any effort to internationally legitimize the Palestinians, swiftly responded on Wednesday by recalling its ambassadors from Ireland, Norway, and Spain.

In a video statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that "the intention of several European countries to recognize a Palestinian state is tantamount to rewarding terrorism."

He claimed that a majority of the Palestinians in Judea and Samaria (West Bank) are in favor of the horrific massacre that occurred on October 7. He emphasized that granting statehood to such evil would result in the establishment of a terrorist state. This statement was made in relation to the Oct. 7 attack led by Hamas in southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the abduction of more than 250 others.

Israel contends that actions such as those taken by the three European countries on Wednesday will reinforce the Palestinian stance and weaken the negotiation process. Israel maintains that all matters should be resolved through negotiations.

Israel frequently reacts to foreign countries' decisions perceived as contrary to its interests by summoning the ambassadors of those countries. Additionally, it applies punitive measures against the Palestinians, such as withholding tax transfers to the financially strained Palestinian Authority.

WHO ACKNOWLEDGES THE EXISTENCE OF A PALESTINIAN STATE?

 

Around 140 countries, comprising more than two-thirds of the United Nations' membership, have acknowledged the existence of a Palestinian state.

Some significant global players have suggested a shift in their position amidst the outcry over the aftermath of Israel's offensive in Gaza, which, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, has resulted in the deaths of over 35,000 Palestinians. It's worth noting that the ministry's tally does not differentiate between noncombatants and combatants.

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron stated that recognition of a Palestinian state is contingent upon the absence of Hamas control in Gaza. However, he also suggested that recognition could occur during Israeli negotiations with Palestinian leaders.

France has signaled its reluctance to join other nations in recognizing a Palestinian state, even though it does not oppose the concept in principle. French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné, as conveyed by his ministry following a private discussion with his Israeli counterpart on Wednesday, emphasized that recognizing a Palestinian state should serve a purpose in advancing a two-state solution. Séjourné suggested that immediate recognition may not significantly contribute to achieving this objective.

Germany, on the other hand, has stated that it will refrain from recognizing a Palestinian state for the present time.

A spokesperson for Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that Germany remains hopeful for a negotiated two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians, which would ultimately result in the establishment of a separate Palestinian state. However, they acknowledged that achieving this solution, although the most favorable, is currently distant.

An earlier iteration of this narrative inaccurately mentioned a 1948 U.N. resolution as the catalyst for the establishment of Israel. To clarify, Israel proclaimed independence in 1948 following the U.N.'s suggestion of a partition plan in 1947.