On Wednesday, Israel summoned its ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for “urgent consultations” after these two countries moved toward recognizing a Palestinian state.
“Today I am sending a strongly worded message to Ireland and Norway,” Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in a statement: “Israel will not remain silent in the face of those undermining its sovereignty and endangering its security.” “I have instructed the immediate recall of Israel’s ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for consultations in light of these countries’ decisions to recognize a Palestinian state. I’m sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the face of those undermining its sovereignty and endangering its security.”
I have instructed the immediate recall of Israel’s ambassadors to Ireland and Norway for consultations in light of these countries' decisions to recognize a Palestinian state.
I’m sending a clear and unequivocal message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not remain silent in the…
— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) May 22, 2024
According to Katz, “There will be further severe consequences. If Spain follows through on its intention to recognize a Palestinian state, a similar step will be taken against it.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced on Wednesday that his country will recognize a Palestinian state as of May 28.
Spain will officially recognise the State of Palestine next 28 May echoing the will of the majority of the Spanish people.
Time has come to move from words into action.
Peace, justice and coherence are the basis of our historic decision.
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) May 22, 2024
Katz said that Ireland and Norway intend to “send a message to the Palestinians and the world: Terrorism pays.”
He added, “This distorted step by these countries is an injustice to the memory of the victims of 7/10.”
Israel also recalled its ambassador to Spain for “urgent consultations” and communicated its protest to the ambassadors of Spain, Norway, and Ireland after those countries’ decision to recognize a Palestinian state.
On the other hand, the Palestine Liberation Organization described the matter as a “historic moment.”
On Wednesday, Ireland, Spain, and Norway jointly announced their decision to recognize a Palestinian state, more than seven months after the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip.
The Secretary of the Executive Committee of the PLO, Hussein Al-Sheikh, said that these are “historical moments in which the free world triumphs for truth and justice after long decades of Palestinian national struggle, suffering, pain, occupation, racism, murder, oppression, abuse and destruction to which the people of Palestine were subjected.”
Historical moments in which the free world triumphs for truth and justice after long decades of Palestinian national struggle, suffering, pain, occupation, racism, murder, oppression, abuse and destruction to which the people of Palestine were subjected to. We thank the countries… https://t.co/iCAEKfr2JQ
— حسين الشيخ Hussein AlSheikh (@HusseinSheikhpl) May 22, 2024
According to the census, 142 out of 193 member states of the United Nations have previously recognized the State of Palestine.
For its part, the Hamas movement considered, on Wednesday, the recognition of a Palestinian state by three European countries as an “important step” on the path to consolidating the rights of the Palestinians to their land and to establishing their state.
In a statement, the movement welcomed the matter, considering it “an important step on the path to establishing our right to our land and establishing our independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.”
Hamas called on “We call on countries around the world to recognize our legitimate national rights, support the struggle of our people for liberation and independence, and end the Zionist occupation of our land.”
A member of Hamas’s political bureau, Bassem Naim, confirmed to Agence France-Presse that “These successive recognitions are the direct result of this brave resistance and the legendary steadfastness of the Palestinian people,” considering that these recognitions represent ” turning point in the international position on the Palestinian issue” and will help to besiege the entity (Israel) and those who support it.
He believed that “this will this move will encourage many countries around the world to recognize Palestine as an independent state,” expressing his appreciation for the “political courage exhibited by these countries despite the immense pressure.”
Earlier, The Eastern Herald reported the reason for the invasion of Gaza, as the last round of negotiations in Cairo aimed at brokering a ceasefire to halt Israel’s invasion of the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in genocide and ethnic cleansing of millions of Palestinians, ended without resolution, further deepening the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Despite intensive discussions, Israel’s rejection of proposed terms for a ceasefire agreement and its subsequent ground invasion in Rafah indicate a calculated strategy to maintain leverage.
Earlier this month, Karim A. A. Khan prosecutor of International Criminal Court sought warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Galant, along with Hamas leaders Mohammed Deif and Ismail Haniyeh. These actions are part of an investigation into alleged war crimes amid the ongoing conflict, highlighting the intense international scrutiny over both Israeli and Palestinian leadership.
Also, the United Nations Special Rapporteur in the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, labeled Israel’s military aggression in Gaza as genocide, citing over 30,000 Palestinian deaths, including more than 13,000 children, and 71,000 injuries. She urged immediate sanctions and an arms embargo on Israel. Israel rejected the findings, maintaining its conflict is with Hamas, not civilians. Gulf and African nations supported Albanese’s report, while the US, Israel’s ally, abstained from the session.
