In addition, there is a fear that Norway, which is not a member of the European Union, will also join the move, since it has held a leading position in recent months in regards to counter-initiatives to Israel. Another member of the Union whose name has been mentioned as a candidate to recognize a Palestinian state is Luxembourg. Another member of the European Union whose name was mentioned is Portugal, but about two weeks ago it was reported that the new Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro told his Spanish counterpart that for the time being they will wait in Lisbon for an official decision on behalf of the European Union, and “will not go as far as other countries”.
Irish Foreign Minister Michael Martin
The grave humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and the desperate need to return some hope to this region is still an urgent priority.
It is my intention to bring to government a formal proposal on recognition of a Palestinian State when wider international discussions are complete. pic.twitter.com/i0g8PUiAS8
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) April 9, 2024
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez gave a speech in Madrid yesterday in which he officially announced that he is staying in his post and not resigning, days after he announced a time-out in order to “think about the future”. During his remarks, he made it clear that he continues in his position “with all his might”, and also said that recognition of a Palestinian state by Spain is expected “within weeks”. These things come after about two weeks ago he said that Spain is expected to recognize a Palestinian state by July.
In Spain, we have recently discussed with Ireland and Slovenia the recognition of a Palestinian state. It is estimated that those countries plan to carry out the step in a coordinated manner, so it may still take time. In Slovenia, they expressed hope that it would be possible to reach a broader move by reaching a consensus in the European Union, but it is likely that such an event is not expected in the near future.
In March, Sanchez announced that he had agreed with the leaders of Ireland, Malta, and Slovenia that they would work together to recognize a Palestinian state, claiming that “this is the only move that will help advance the two-state solution.” Unlike the others, Malta already officially recognized a Palestinian state in 1989. In fact, since Yasser Arafat’s announcement of the establishment of a Palestinian state in November 1988 – 140 countries have already recognized it.
Sanchez, leader of the Socialist Party (PSOE) in Spain, leads a center-left coalition, which has extreme left elements such as the “Podemos” party within the “Sumar” bloc. Among other things, a member of the Spanish government, Sara, who on October 7 praised the massacre of Hamas terrorists, and Sara, who is in the habit of calling Prime Minister Netanyahu a “war criminal” and calling for his prosecution and the prosecution of other senior officials in Israel at the Hague Tribunal.
The steps being considered in Israel
- Talks by Prime Minister Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Katz, as well as ministers Ron Dermer and Yoav Galant with their counterparts in the various countries, with an emphasis on the leading countries in the European Union – Germany, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Austria, and also in Hungary.
- An appeal to the Biden administration and the House of Representatives in an attempt to exert pressure against the states.
- Request for official public statement on behalf of the Biden administration.
- Contacting Jewish organizations around the world and American hi-tech companies with branches in the “problematic” countries to try to put pressure on the local governments.
Most of the countries that recognized a Palestinian state did so in the days immediately after the declaration on November 15, 1988. Among the countries that officially recognize a Palestinian state are many Arab countries, African countries and Latin American countries. Among the countries are also some that are considered close partners of Israel, such as Poland, Romania, Cyprus and Hungary.
Since the beginning of the war in Gaza, two more countries have joined the list of countries that recognize a Palestinian state. On April 19, Barbados announced its recognition of a Palestinian state, and last week on April 23, Jamaica also announced its recognition of a Palestinian state.
Every statement these days about the possibility of European countries recognizing a Palestinian state is a reward for the Hamas terrorists, who carried out the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.
Only direct negotiations between the parties will lead to peace.
The world and Europe should focus right now on the immediate release of the 133 abductees and the collapse of the Hamas terrorist organization.
— Oren Marmorstein (@OrenMarmorstein) April 29, 2024
“Every statement these days about the possibility of European countries recognizing a Palestinian state is a reward for Hamas terrorists, who carried out the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein wrote yesterday in response to Borel’s words. “Only peak negotiations between the parties will lead to peace. The world and Europe should focus right now on the immediate release of the 133 abductees and the abduction of the terrorist organization Hamas. Whoever promotes a different agenda plays into Hamas’ hands and makes it difficult to promote a deal for the release of the abductees and a humanitarian ceasefire.”