TEL AVIV, Israel (NEWSnet/AP) — Ireland, Norway and Spain each announced Wednesday they would recognize a Palestinian state.
This is a largely symbolic move, but one that got the attention of Israel, which immediately denounced the decisions and recalled its ambassadors to the three countries.
The formal recognition by the three countries — which all have a record of friendly ties with both the Israelis and the Palestinians, while long advocating for a Palestinian state — is planned for May 28.
Palestinians welcomed the announcements as an affirmation of their decades-long quest for statehood in east Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip — territories Israel seized in the 1967 Mideast war and still controls.
While about 140 countries — more than two-thirds of the United Nations — recognize a Palestinian state, the newest announcements could build momentum at a time when even close allies of Israel criticized its conduct in Gaza during the current war.
It was the second blow to Israel’s international reputation this week after the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said he would seek arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his defense minister. The International Court of Justice is also considering allegations of genocide that Israel has strenuously denied.
The international community has long viewed the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel as the only realistic way to resolve the conflict.
During recent weeks, several European Union countries have indicated they plan to recognize a Palestinian state to further those efforts.
But the United States and Britain, among others, support the idea of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel only as part of a negotiated settlement.
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