Multiple European Union member-states, including Ireland, Norway, and Spain, have announced their intentions to recognize Palestine as an independent state. The declarations of formal recognition represent crucial first steps towards resolving the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and moving towards a two-state solution.

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Norwegian Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, initially announced that his country would recognize Palestine as a state, issuing a statement that “in the midst of a war, with tens of thousands killed and injured, we must keep alive the only alternative that offers a political solution for Israelis and Palestinians alike: two states, living side by side, in peace and security.” His Spanish counterpart, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, announced that his government would also extend similar recognition to the Palestinian community on May 28.

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The Prime Minister of Ireland, Simon Harris, hailed the formal recognition of Palestine’s sovereignty as “a historic and important day for Ireland and for Palestine.” Harris voiced hopes that the designation would provide “hope and encouragement to the people of Palestine at one of their darkest hours.”

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The idea of formally recognizing Palestine as an independent entity has been mooted by several European Union member states in recent months. Norway emerged as the first country to declare its intentions, with Spain and Ireland following suit.

Responding to the announcements, Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz ordered the country’s ambassadors to Norway and Ireland to return to Israel immediately, decrying the recognition as an attack on the victims of Hamas and a detriment to hostage release efforts. “The Irish-Norwegian parade of stupidity does not deter us,” Katz said. “We are determined to achieve our goals: returning security to our citizens, toppling Hamas, and bringing back the hostages.”

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“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.

Today’s decision sends a message to the Palestinians and the world: Terrorism pays. After the Hamas terror organization carried out the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, after committing heinous sexual crimes witnessed by the world, these countries chose to reward Hamas and Iran by recognizing a Palestinian state.

This distorted step by these countries is an injustice to the memory of the victims of 7/10, a blow to efforts to return the 128 hostages, and a boost to Hamas and Iran’s jihadists, which undermines the chance for peace and questions Israel’s right to self-defense.

Israel will not remain silent – 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.

The Irish-Norwegian folly does not deter us; we are determined to achieve our goals: restoring security to our citizens, dismantling Hamas, and bringing the hostages home. There are no more just causes than these.” – Israel Katz, Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs

The recognition of Palestine by these three EU member states may meet with criticism from proponents of the Israeli cause. However, advocates of a two-state solution and supporters of the Palestinian cause hail this as a positive and democratic step in the right direction.

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