Norway on Tuesday began formally recognizing an independent Palestinian state, as Spain and Ireland were set to follow suit later in the day, despite staunch opposition from Israel.
"Norway's formal recognition of Palestine as a state will enter into force on Tuesday 28 May 2024," the Norwegian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "A number of other likeminded European countries will also formally recognise Palestine on that same date."
The three European countries had announced the move simultaneously last week, with their leaders saying they hoped other countries would join in the initiative, believing it will advance the prospects for peace after more than seven months of fighting between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas.
"Recognition by various European countries is not, in itself, sufficient to ensure that a Palestinian state will be sustainable," said Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.
"By recognising a Palestinian state, we are supporting the Arab peace plan which has been further developed by key actors in the region in the wake of 7 October."
"This joint decision reflects the determination of our three countries to make a fundamental paradigm shift," said Ireland's Michael Martin at joint press conference of the three countries' foreign ministers on Monday.
"We have recognised both the State of Israel and the State of Palestine, precisely because we want to see a future of normalised relations between the two peoples," Martin said.
"A two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict envisages an independent Palestinian state that exists peacefully side by side with Israel. Netanyahu opposes a two-state solution, as does Hamas."
The majority of United Nations member states recognize the state of Palestine.
However, influential Western nations such as the United States, Britain, and most EU states do not recognize an independent Palestinian state.
