TEHRAN - The decision by three European countries to formally recognize Palestine as a state will lead to a heightened sense of isolation for both Israel and the United States, as they face growing international pressure over Tel Aviv’s brutal onslaught on the Gaza Strip. 

On Wednesday, the leaders of Ireland, Spain and Norway announced that they will formally recognize a Palestinian state on May 28. 

The announcements were coordinated moves amid Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza that was launched on October 7. Israel has slaughtered more than 35,700 Palestinians since then, defying international calls for a ceasefire and ending the brutal war.  

No peace without recognition

Norway was the first to announce its decision. 
 
“There cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition,” the Scandinavian country’s prime minister said.  

Jonas Gahr added, “By recognizing a Palestinian state, Norway supports the Arab peace plan”.   He said his county regards Palestine as an independent state “with all the rights and obligations that entails”. 

Historic day for Palestine 

The Irish premier described the move as “historic and important day for Ireland and for Palestine.” 

Simon Harris said it was intended to help move the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to resolution through a two-state solution.

He added that other countries will recognize a Palestinian state “in the weeks ahead.”

Since 1988, 139 of 193 United Nations member states have recognized Palestinian statehood. 

Sánchez blasts Netanyahu 

Addressing the parliament in Madrid, the Spanish prime minister said, “We are going to recognize Palestine for many reasons and we can sum that up in three words – peace, justice and consistency.” 
 “We have to make sure that the two-state solution is respected and there must be mutual guarantees of security,” Pedro Sánchez said. 

He also made a blistering attack on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the Israeli massacres of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. 

“Prime Minister Netanyahu is still turning a blind eye and bombing hospitals, schools, homes. He is still using hunger, cold and terror to punish more than a million innocent boys and girls – and things have gone so far that prosecutors at the international criminal court have this week sought his arrest for war crimes.”

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez accused Benjamin Netanyahu of presiding over massacres in the Gaza Strip and reiterated demands for a ceasefire.Sánchez was referring to Monday’s comments made by ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan.

Khan said his office had applied for arrest warrants for Netanyahu and war minister Yoav Gallant, citing their responsibility in war crimes and crimes against humanity that the Israeli army has committed in the Gaza Strip over the past seven months. 

Earlier this month, the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly approved a resolution that backed the Palestinian bid for full UN membership. 

But last month, the US vetoed a widely backed Security Council resolution that would have paved the way for full UN membership for Palestine. The US was the only country that blocked the resolution. Britain and Switzerland abstained while 12 other countries voted in favor.  The US move threw a spotlight on Washington’s growing global isolation over its unwavering support for Israel.  

The United States claims it backs the idea of an independent Palestinian state. It, however, says Palestinian independence should come as part of negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. 

Nonetheless, Israel has opposed the establishment of a Palestinian state. Leaked Israeli documents show that Israel has been seeking to forcibly transfer Gaza’s population to Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula after the Gaza war erupted. 

US-mediated talks between Israel and Palestinians which led to the signing of the Oslo Accords in the early 1990s did not lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state. 
Since then, Israel has used peace talks as a smokescreen to expand its illegal settlements and grab more Palestinian lands. 

It is clear that negotiations only help Israel carry out its ethnic cleansing plans in the Palestinian territories. 

Presently, the recognition of Palestine by Spain, Norway and Ireland is rooted in the Palestinian resistance against Israel amid the regime’s genocidal war in Gaza and its deadly attacks in the West Bank. 

The Palestinian resistance indeed has been instrumental in amplifying the voices of those who are fighting against the Israeli oppression and tyranny.

By sharing their stories and struggles, the Palestinian resistance has inspired widespread solidarity and outrage, galvanizing people across the world to take action against Israel’s brutality and oppression, the manifestation of which is seen in global pro-Palestine protests.