Palestinian Aspiration: Getting Its Existence Recognised

Koushik Das

May 29

Ireland, Norway and Spain recognised Palestine as an Independent State on May 28, 2024. As expected, the Palestinian Hamas Movement and the Palestinian Authority (PA) have welcomed the decision of the three European countries, while Israel has expressed great anger. The Zionist Regime has claimed that such a move would further destabilise the region.

Spain and Ireland have made it clear that the decision to recognise the Palestinian State is neither against Israel nor in favour of Hamas, stressing that it would only ensure peace in West Asia. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre reportedly said: "There cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition." He expressed hope that the (historic but largely symbolic) move would help moderate forces to make a comeback, amidst a long, brutal conflict. He explained that as the recognition of Palestine as an Independent State could only bring lasting peace to West Asia, Oslo made this move. With this, Prime Minister Støre confirmed that the Scandinavian country would always back a Two State solution. It may be noted that Norway had helped broker the Oslo Accords, kicking off the peace process way back in the 1990s.

For his part, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris stated that it was a "historic and important day for Ireland and for Palestine", adding that the announcements had been coordinated and other countries might join. He told the press that Ireland would always support the Equal Rights of the Palestinian, as well as Israeli, people to security, dignity and self-determination. According to Prime Minister Harris, Hamas and the Palestinian people are not synonymous, and the decision to recognise Palestine would help build a peaceful future. Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez mentioned: "This recognition is not against anyone, it is not against the Israeli people. It is an act in favour of peace, justice and moral consistency."

The Hamas Movement is of the opinion that the decision of Ireland, Norway and Spain is going to be a turning point in the global position on the Palestine issue. The PA, considered as Hamas' rival that controls parts of the West Bank, has also welcomed the announcement, saying in a statement that the three European countries demonstrated their "strong commitment" to the Palestinian people's Right to Justice.

Meanwhile, Israel has condemned the decision of Ireland, Norway and Spain, withdrawing its diplomats from the three countries. At the same time, the Jewish Nation summoned the ambassadors of Ireland, Norway and Spain in Tel Aviv over the recognition issue! Speaking at a press conference, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said: "History will remember that Spain, Norway and Ireland decided to award a gold medal to Hamas murderers and rapists." Earlier, the Israeli Foreign Ministry claimed that recognising Palestine as an Independent State would trigger "further terror and unrest in the region, derailing the peace process".

Interestingly, the majority of countries in the world consider Palestine as an Independent State. In the first week of May 2024, 143 out of 193 countries voted to make Palestine a member-state at the UN General Assembly (UNGA). However, there were very few European nations among those 143 countries. As more than two-thirds of the UN member-states have recognised an Independent Palestinian State, the decision of Ireland, Norway and Spain could build momentum (at a time when even close allies of Israel have piled on criticism for its conduct in Gaza).

Colombia To Open Embassy In Ramallah
(TRT World) Gustavo Petro, the President of Colombia, has ordered for a Colombian Embassy to be opened in Palestine's Ramallah, the city that serves as the administrative capital of the Palestinian Authority (PA), Colombian Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo said on May 22, 2024.

President Petro recalled that Colombia withdrew its ambassador to Israel in November 2023 and closed the Embassy in Tel Aviv in early May 2024, saying that his country would snap diplomatic relations with Israel over its actions in Gaza.

Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused President Petro of being "anti-Semitic and full of hate" following Bogota's decision to snap ties with Tel Aviv, stressing that the move was a "reward" for Hamas.

Interestingly, Colombia was not the first Latin American country to snap diplomatic ties with Israel. Bolivia cut ties with Israel at the end of October 2024, while several other countries in the region, including Chile and Honduras, have recalled their ambassadors in recent times.