On Wednesday, three nations—Spain, Ireland, and Norway, announced their intention to recognize a Palestinian state on May 28th. This decision comes amid widespread international outrage over the civilian death toll and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip following Israel’s offensive.
In a move that may garner support from other member states, two European Union countries and Norway have made a decision that could potentially drive the recognition of a Palestinian State. The EU countries clarified that their decision was not an act against Israel or in support of Hamas, but rather a gesture in favor of peace.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Store stated in an address that the move was “in support of moderate forces that are on a retreating front in a protracted and cruel conflict.”
Further added, “This is an investment in the only solution that can bring lasting peace in the Middle East,” highlighting the two-state solution which would see an Israeli and a Palestinian state coexisting peacefully. Hoping that the move would renew the momentum of the peace talks.
Until now, most Western nations maintained that they would formally recognize Palestinian statehood only at the conclusion of a peace process with Israel. However, the devastating war in Gaza has disrupted this stance, leading Norway, Spain, and the Republic of Ireland to decide to recognize Palestinian statehood independently.
Tracing history to decipher the present case
Following World War II, hostilities between Arabs and Jews intensified over the future of Palestine. In November 1947, a UN partition plan proposed the creation of two states—one Arab and one Jewish. However, Palestinians and the broader Arab world rejected the plan, as it allocated them less than half of the land, despite Palestinians comprising two-thirds of the population.
Although the plan divided the states in such a way that each state would have a majority of its own population, the rationale for giving slightly larger territory to the Jewish state was based on the expectation of increased Jewish immigration.
However, territorial occupation expanded as a result of the Arab-Israeli War in 1967. Despite numerous rounds of peace talks, substantive negotiations have not taken place since 2009.
While some of the Western powers remain divided regarding the declaration made by two EU member nations and Norway to recognize Palestinian statehood, the symbolic gesture has the potential to enhance the international standing of Palestinians and intensify pressure for negotiation and peace efforts.
Particularly amidst the ongoing deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, recent reports from the UN indicate that food distribution in the southern Gaza city of Rafah has been halted due to insufficient supplies and security concerns.