Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre declared his country's decision at a press conference on Wednesday, stating: "Norway will recognize Palestine as an independent, sovereign state with all its rights and obligations."
Støre added that the territorial delineation between Palestine and Israel should adhere to the pre-June 4, 1967 borders.
This decision follows a call from the Norwegian parliament in November, urging the government to recognize Palestine when it could positively impact the peace process.
Simultaneously, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris announced Ireland's recognition of Palestine, aligning with the decisions made by Norway and Spain.
Harris asserted that Ireland's decision is grounded in a commitment to "freedom and justice as fundamental principles of international law."
He added that "the moment for the recognition of a Palestinian state is approaching, and that moment has now arrived."
Harris declared that this recognition is not aimed against Israel, emphasizing Ireland's continued recognition of Israel and condemnation of Hamas's actions in October. He reiterated that a two-state solution is essential for a lasting peace.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also confirmed Spain's recognition of Palestine, noting that this decision follows extensive diplomatic efforts in Europe and the Middle East.
Sánchez said that this initiative aims to provide "dignity and hope" to Palestinians and is an "act for peace and justice."
He criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for lacking a peace plan for Palestine, despite "the justified fight" against Hamas.
International reactions, Polish position
The Israeli government, which opposes the creation of a Palestinian state, has responded by summoning the ambassadors from Ireland, Norway and Spain "for consultations."
Earlier this month, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution supporting full membership status for Palestine. The resolution was backed by 143 countries, including Poland. Nine countries opposed, and 25 abstained from voting.
Poland's position, recently articulated by the head of the parliamentary foreign affairs committee, Paweł Kowal, underscores support for a two-state solution while maintaining strong strategic ties with Israel.
"Poland is for a two-state solution, and our partners in Israel need to hear this clearly," Kowal said last week, adding that the Polish vote at the UN was an expression of this policy.
"This has been our policy for a long time, rooted in cross-party consensus," he added, as cited by state news agency PAP.
At the same time, Kowal stressed that "Poland has deep historic ties with Israel at every level."
"Israel is our strategic ally," he declared.
"We don't support everything the government of (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu does, but strategically we are with Israel, whether someone likes it or not," Kowal said.
(jh/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP/PAP