Several European states are rushing forward to recognize a state of Palestine. They want to promote the two-state solution. Israel sharply criticizes the moves.
Norway will recognize Palestine as a state. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced this on Wednesday morning in Oslo. The recognition should therefore take place on May 28th. According to media reports, Ireland, Spain and other European countries also wanted to announce the recognition of Palestine on Wednesday.
“Palestinians have a fundamental, independent right to their own state. Both Israelis and Palestinians have the right to live in peace in separate states. There can be no peace in the Middle East without a two-state solution,” said a press release from the Norwegian government. An Irish government spokesman announced the move was intended to keep the option of a two-state solution alive.
Sweden had already recognized Palestine as a state ten years ago. However, critics complain that the Palestinian territories lack important criteria for such a step. For example, the border between Israel and the Palestinians remains contentious. This also applies to the political status of East Jerusalem.
Israel strictly rejects recognizing Palestine. “By pushing for a Palestinian state, you are telling murderers and rapists that terror pays,” Israel’s UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan said recently, as the UN General Assembly strengthened Palestine’s status. The Palestinian Authority does not meet the criteria for statehood.
Spain has long been one of the harshest critics in Europe of Israel’s military actions in the Gaza Strip. The left-wing government suspended all arms exports to Israel in October. The recognition is right because “it is in Europe’s geopolitical interest and because the international community cannot help the Palestinian state if it does not recognize it,” Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said. One of the most deplorable humanitarian disasters of this century is taking place in Gaza.