The only way to the world?

Norway, Spain and Ireland recognized the independence of Palestine. We tell you how they explain their decision of politics and how Israel and Hamas reacted to this

Norway, Spain and Ireland announced plans to recognize the Palestinian state. Officially, the decision will enter into force a few days later - May 28. The recognition of the existence of the two states - Israel and Palestine - can come to the world in the Middle East, say in Europe. The decision has already been welcomed by Palestine, and even representatives of Hamas. At the same time, Israel called such plans “stupidity” and instructed to immediately withdraw ambassadors from Norway and Ireland for consultations.

Novyevropa tells why European politicians took such a step that, in the future, can recognize Palestine's independence and what fears Israel have.

“Two states living side by side”: how Norwegian politicians explained their decision

The leader of the Norwegian government, Jonas Gar Store, said at a press conference that "Palestine has a fundamental right to state independence."

“At the height of the war, when tens of thousands of people are killed and wounded, we must preserve the only alternative that offers a political decision to both Israelis and Palestinians: two states living side by side, in the world and security,” said Steer.

The recognition of Palestine as a state emphasizes the long -standing position of Norway, according to which the decision of the conflict in the Middle East can only be achieved through agreements on the existence of two states, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs added.

“The decision on the two states is the only viable path to the world for both Israel and Palestine,

- said the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Espen Bart Eide. “ At this critical moment, we recognize Palestine in support of work on a comprehensive plan to establish peace in the region.”

To restore the world in the region, the strengthening of Palestinian autonomy, reliable guarantees of security for Israel, the demobilization of Hamas and other armed groups, as well as the normalization of relations between Israel and the Arab countries, added. “Although none of these steps in itself will solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, their amount can lead to great achievements,” Aida said .

At the same time, as Eide said, Israel is in an unsafe situation and Norway recognizes Israel's legal right to self -defense within international law.

Eide previously noted that the support of Palestine does not mean promoting the terrorist movement of Hamas, and emphasized that Norway “resolutely distances” from the terrorist group. “The whole goal of Hamas was to withstand the state of Israel, while the Palestinian authorities want to cooperate with Israel,” Aida said .

However, the representative of Hamas nevertheless called the decision of Norway "a historical turning point in Europe." “We have always enjoyed strong support from Norway, both in the Palestinians and in protecting the rights of the Palestinian people. <...> Both the Norwegian government and the Norwegian people thank you for all these firm positions and for this decisive support for Palestinian business, ” they added there.

President of the Palestinian Autonomy Mahmoud Abbas welcomed their steps to recognize, saying that they would contribute to efforts to achieve a decision to create two states.

In Norway itself, since the fall of 2023, the missing protests are periodically held .

“Without double standards”: Spain and Ireland recognize Palestine's independence on the same day with Norway

Spain also officially recognizes the state of Palestine on May 28, “echoing the most Spanish people,” said Pedro Sanchez Prime Minister, speaking in parliament.

“It's time to move from words to business. The world, justice and sequence are the basis of our historical solution, ” he added. Sanchez believes that the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu gives orders for bombing of hospitals, schools and houses of civilians.

“He still uses hunger, cold and terror to punish more than a million innocent boys and girls - and the case went so far that the prosecutors of the International Criminal Court this week demanded his arrest for war crimes, ” said Sanchez. According to him, Netanyahu "did not have a peaceful plan for Palestine."

Sanchez emphasized that European countries should help refugees and send humanitarian aid. “Those countries that protect human rights and international law based on norms are obliged to act in Ukraine and Palestine - without double standards, ” he added.

Ireland is also recognized by the Palestinian state, the country's Prime Minister Simon Harris said . He expects other countries to follow this example in the coming weeks. In his opinion, the decision to create two states is the only reliable way to peace and security for Israel and Palestine.

At the same time, according to Harris, Ireland fully recognizes Israel and its right to exist "in security and peace with its neighbors." He called for the immediate return of all hostages in Gaza. The decision on recognition will also enter into force on May 28.

Both in Spain and in Ireland, there were also missing actions. So, in April of this year, thousands of protesters took part in the missing march in the center of Dublin, and in March in the Basque city of San Sebastian, hundreds of people lay on the ground by the sea with a demand to “stop genocide”.

Who else promised to admit the independence of Palestine?

Members of the European Union of Slovenia and Malt also promised to decide on the recognition of Palestine, arguing that the decision to create two states is important for a durable world in the region.

To date, 143 of 193 UN countries, including Russia, have been recognized Palestine. In addition, Palestine is a state observer in the organization since November 2012, but does not have a full-fledged member status, since it is not recognized by three states - permanent members of the UN Security Council (USA, Great Britain and France).

The first EU member state to recognize the independence of Palestine was Sweden. She did it back in 2014. Palestine was also recognized by Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Malta, Poland and Romania, but they did this before joining the European Union.

On May 10, the UN General Assembly gathered for an emergency session in the Middle East, in particular, in connection with the "illegal actions of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories." The delegates adopted a resolution proposed by the United Arab Emirates on Palestine's membership in the UN.

The document expands the rights of the state of Palestine in the General Assembly, but does not give it the right to vote or put forward his candidacy for the UN bodies.

The General Assembly, according to the charter, cannot provide the status of a full -fledged member at the UN - for this we need a recommendation of the Security Council. The Council at his April meeting could not give such a recommendation because of the veto of the United States.

The United States voted against the resolution, while supporting the idea of ​​an independent Palestinian state near Israel and noting that this should become part of the settlement through negotiations.

Countries that have not recognized the independence of the state of Palestine believe that the issue of its creation should be resolved only as a result of direct negotiations between Israel and Palestinian autonomy. At the same time, significant territories on the western bank of the Jordan River, as well as East Jerusalem, are still becoming the subject of a dispute between Israelis and Palestinians.

"The statement that the land is flat." Israel's reaction

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that such a step of Norway, Spain and Ireland will become only a “reward for terror” and that Israel would not allow the creation of such a state next to him.

The authorities of the European states have already responded to the Israeli government: ambassadors in Norway and Ireland were withdrawn for consultations.

“I am sending Ireland and Norway a clear signal: Israel will not retreat to those who undermine its sovereignty and threatens its safety. <...> If Spain fulfills its intention to recognize the Palestinian state, a similar step will be taken against it, ”said Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz. The decision of the European states undermines the chances of the world and casts doubt on Israel's right to self -defense, he added.

“Irish-Norwegian stupidity does not stop us. We are determined to achieve our goals: to restore the safety of our citizens, eliminate Hamas and return the hostages home, ",

- said Katz.

The Minister of National Security of Israel Itamar Ben-Gvir said that the country "would not even allow statements about the Palestinian state."

The Ambassador of Israel to Oslo Avi Nir-Feldklyain said that Norway recognizes a “non-existent state”, and compared this decision with the “statement that the land is flat”.

“This in no way contributes to the creation of the Palestinian state, but contributes to Hamas and its owners in Tehran, who will probably quickly praise this decision and tighten their position. This, in turn, will increase the requirements for the liberation of our hostages, ” he added .