Ireland, Spain and Norway officially recognize each other amid Israel-Hamas war

Norway, Ireland and Spain announced on Wednesday that they would formally recognize a Palestinian state, dealing a new diplomatic blow to Israel.

“In the middle of a war, with tens of thousands dead and wounded, we must keep alive the only alternative that offers a political solution to both Israelis and Palestinians,” Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr said. Store.

“Two States, living side by side, in peace and security.”

Speaking at a press conference in Dublin shortly afterwards, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said he hoped the decision to recognize a Palestinian state would “offer hope and encouragement to the Palestinian people in their time of need.” the darkest.

Israel ordered its ambassadors from Ireland and Norway to return immediately and said it would do the same for Spain.

“Ireland and Norway intend to send a message today to the Palestinians and the entire world: terrorism pays,” Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said.

He said the recognition could hamper efforts to return Israeli hostages held in Gaza and make a ceasefire less likely by “rewarding jihadists from Hamas and Iran.”

It comes as the Israeli army continues to expand its operations in the south and north of Gaza, the Palestinian enclave where more than 35,000 people have been killed in seven months of war, according to local health authorities.

It also comes after the International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor announced he would seek arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, as well as for Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and others for alleged war crimes in the Israel-Hamas war. had announced in recent weeks its intention to recognize a Palestinian state by the end of the month, with Israel strongly opposing the proposal, as well as any further push for a two-state solution after the September 7 attacks. october.

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“Don’t be a pawn in the hands of Hamas,” he said.

Before Wednesday, more than 140 of the United Nations’ 193 member states recognized Palestinian statehood, with no Group of Seven countries among them.

President Joe Biden said his administration is working to “finally achieve a two-state solution,” which he says is “the only solution.” But the United States does not formally recognize a Palestinian state.

Netanyahu has repeatedly argued that recognition of a Palestinian state following the October 7 Hamas attacks, in which some 1,200 people were killed and about 250 others taken hostage according to Israeli officials, would in fact be a reward for Hamas.