Recognizing Palestine as a state was long seen in the West as a bargaining chip for concessions in the peace process. The Gaza war is now causing several countries to rethink their approach. Israel reacts angrily.
Norway and the two EU countries Ireland and Spain have announced that they will recognize Palestine as a separate state. The move will be formalized on May 28, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced in Oslo, Dublin and Madrid. Does the two-state solution project provide a boost or does it make peace in the Middle East even less likely?
Israel sharply criticized the move and immediately recalled its ambassadors from the three countries. The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), however, welcomed the move. PLO Secretary General Hussein al-Sheikh spoke of a “historic moment.”
The recognition is “an expression of unconditional support for a two-state solution, the only credible path to peace and security for Israel, Palestine and their peoples,” said Irish Prime Minister Harris. The step could help to finally get the process towards a two-state solution back on track, said Norwegian Prime Minister Støre.
The Islamist Hamas, which still controls parts of the Gaza Strip, categorically rejects a two-state solution. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also recently declared it obsolete. The PLO, which dominates the autonomous authority in the West Bank, supports the plan. The PLO had already unilaterally declared Palestine’s state independence in 1988.
Prime Minister Harris emphasized that Dublin also fully recognizes Israel’s right to exist in security and peace with its neighbors. Ireland condemns the “barbaric massacre” carried out by Hamas on October 7th and calls for the immediate release of all hostages. However, the head of government added: “Hamas is not the Palestinian people.” He recalled the importance of international recognition of Ireland as an independent state in its separation from the British Empire.
The Israeli government responded immediately
Israel strictly rejects recognition of Palestine and immediately recalled its ambassadors from Ireland, Norway and Spain for consultations. He was sending a clear and unmistakable message, Foreign Minister Israel Katz wrote on According to the Foreign Ministry, the ambassadors of the three countries were also summoned to give a “serious warning”.
“Today’s decision sends a message to the Palestinians and the world: terrorism pays,” said Katz. This step is an injustice to the memory of the victims of October 7th, when the Islamist Hamas carried out a massacre in Israel with its terrorist attack that killed more than 1,200 people. “Israel will not remain silent – there will be further serious consequences,” Katz wrote.
France rejects immediate recognition
France’s Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné has rejected recognition of Palestine as a state at this point in time. “Our position is clear: recognizing Palestine is not taboo for France,” said the minister after a meeting with his Israeli counterpart Israel Katz in Paris. However, the decision for recognition must be useful, which means that it enables decisive progress at the political level, said Séjourné. It has to happen at the right time.
“It is not just a symbolic question or a question of political positioning, but a diplomatic tool in the service of a solution with two states living side by side in peace and security,” said the French Foreign Minister. “France does not believe that the conditions have been in place to date for this decision to have a real impact on this process.” Norway, Ireland and Spain had previously announced their intention to recognize Palestine as a state.
Germany is also committed to a two-state solution
The majority of United Nations member states now recognize Palestine as a state. However, this does not apply to major Western nations such as the United States and the majority of EU states, including Germany, France and the United Kingdom.
Recognition is seen as an important incentive for the Palestinian side to make concessions in peace negotiations. Critics of recognition complain that the Palestinian territories lack important criteria for such a step. For example, the border between Israel and the Palestinians is still disputed. This also applies to the political status of East Jerusalem.
Germany is also committed to a two-state solution, but sees a possible recognition of Palestine as the result of direct negotiations between the conflict parties. Sweden, however, recognized Palestine as a state ten years ago. Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Cameron recently suggested that London could also consider early recognition of Palestine to incentivize those Palestinians who support a peaceful solution.
Why is recognition of Palestine coming now?
Since the peace efforts with the Oslo Accords just over 30 years ago, Norway and many other countries have tried to pursue a strategy in which the recognition of a peace solution would follow, Norway’s Prime Minister Støre said on Wednesday. “That did not work.” Several reasons led to the conclusion that it was right to recognize Palestine now. Especially the ongoing war in Gaza. The war was the low point of a long-term negative development between the two areas.
“The time for action has come,” said Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez in Madrid. Despite all calls, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has “continued the destruction of the Gaza Strip” and continues to punish the Palestinians “with hunger and terror,” said the socialist politician.
When is a state a state?
In international law, “state” is usually defined according to the three-element rule. This internationally recognized concept of state describes a politically and legally organized group of people (state people) that gives a population its own order (state authority) within a defined area (national territory).
No precise border is required for national territory; an undisputed core territory is sufficient. For a state people, a minimum sense of belonging is enough. State power refers to the ability of a stable government to effectively organize order in the area and to act externally independently of other states.
The more controversial the assessment as a state, the more important the recognition by other states. However, the prevailing opinion in international law assumes that recognition is not a prerequisite, but rather only confirmation of the existence of a state.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
