Israel recalls ambassador over 'historic move' to recognize Palestinian state by some EU countries

Consecutive notification chain

Norway, Ireland and Spain said on May 22 they were about to recognize a Palestinian state in a historic move that drew criticism from Israel but was welcomed by Palestinians. Israel immediately recalled its ambassadors from Norway and Ireland, the Associated Press reported.

A string of announcements followed in quick succession. First came Norway, where Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said that “there can be no peace in the Middle East without recognition.”

The Scandinavian country will officially recognize a Palestinian state from May 28, Prime Minister Gahr Støre said. “By recognizing a Palestinian state, Norway supports the Arab peace plan,” he said.

Several European Union (EU) countries have said in recent weeks they plan to grant such recognition, arguing that a two-state solution is essential for lasting peace in the region. The decision could give momentum to other EU countries recognizing a Palestinian state and could prompt further steps at the United Nations, deepening Israel’s isolation, according to AP.

Norway, which is not a member of the European Union but has made similar moves in the region, is a staunch supporter of a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians.

“Palestine has a fundamental right to an independent state,” said the Norwegian government leader.

The move comes as Israeli forces launched attacks on the northern and southern edges of the Gaza Strip in May, triggering a new exodus of hundreds of thousands of people and significantly limiting the flow of aid, raising the risk of famine.

Gahr Støre said the Scandinavian country “will therefore regard Palestine as an independent state with all the rights and obligations that come with it”.

The Norwegian government said the development comes more than 30 years after the first Oslo accords were signed in 1993. Since then, “the Palestinians have taken important steps towards a two-state solution.”

The country says the World Bank determined a Palestinian state met key criteria to function as a state in 2011, that national institutions were in place to provide people with vital services.

The Norwegian government asserted: “The war in Gaza and the continued expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank mean that the situation in Palestine is more difficult than it has been in decades.”

Coordinated moves

Also on May 22, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris made the announcement, saying it was a coordinated move with Spain and Norway, “a historic and important day for Ireland and for Palestine”.

He said the move was aimed at helping resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a two-state solution.

Harris said he thought other countries would join Norway, Spain and Ireland in recognising a Palestinian state “in the coming weeks”.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said his country would also recognize a Palestinian state on May 28. Sánchez, leader of Spain's Socialist Party since 2018, made the expected announcement to the country's parliament on May 22.

Prime Minister Sánchez has spent months touring Europe and the Middle East to drum up support for recognition of a Palestinian state, as well as a possible ceasefire in Gaza. He has repeatedly said he is committed to the move.

“We know that this initiative will not return the past and the lives lost in Palestine, but we believe that it will give Palestinians two things that are very important for their present and future: dignity and hope,” Sánchez said.

“This recognition is not against anyone, it is not against the Israeli people,” Mr. Sánchez added, admitting that it would likely cause diplomatic tensions with Tel Aviv: “It is an act in favor of peace, justice and moral consistency.”

Prime Minister Sánchez argued that the move was necessary to support the viability of the two-state solution, which he said was “in serious danger” in the face of the war in Gaza.

“I have spent weeks and months talking to leaders in the region and outside the region and if one thing is clear, it is that Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu does not have a peace project for Palestine, even if the fight against Hamas has legitimacy,” the Spanish leader said.

Earlier this month, Spanish Foreign Minister José Albares said he had informed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken of his government's intention to recognize a Palestinian state.

Criticism and applause

These rapid developments have been met with condemnation from Israel.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz has ordered the Israeli ambassadors from Ireland and Norway to return to Israel immediately, after Norway said it would recognize a Palestinian state and Ireland is expected to do the same.

He said the recognition could hamper efforts to return Israeli hostages held in Gaza and make a ceasefire less likely by “rewarding Hamas and Iranian jihadists”. He also threatened to recall Israel’s ambassador to Spain if it took a similar stance.

Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed Norway's recognition of the state of Palestine and called on other countries to follow suit.

In a statement carried by the official Wafa news agency, Mr Abbas said Norway's decision would protect "the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination" and support efforts to achieve a two-state solution with Israel.