He added that Ireland was unequivocal in fully recognising Israel and its right to exist “securely and in peace with its neighbours”, and he called for all hostages in Gaza to be immediately returned.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s Socialist leader since 2018, made the expected announcement to the nation’s parliament.
Sánchez has spent months touring European and Middle Eastern countries to garner support for the recognition of Palestine, as well as a possible ceasefire in Gaza. He has said several times that he was committed to the move.
Earlier this month, Spain’s Foreign Minister José Albares said he had informed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken of his government’s intention of recognising Palestine.
Norway which is not a member of the European Union but mirrors its moves, has been an ardent supporter of a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.
“The terror has been committed by Hamas and militant groups who are not supporters of a two-state solution and the state of Israel,” Støre said.
“Palestine has a fundamental right to an independent state.”
Israel’s government harshly condemned the decision taken by the three countries. Foreign Minister Israel Katz recalled Israel’s ambassadors and summoned the three countries’ envoys in Israel. He said they would watch grisly video footage of the October 7 attack.
“History will remember that Spain, Norway, and Ireland decided to award a gold medal to Hamas murderers and rapists,” he said. He also said the announcement would undermine talks aimed at a cease-fire and hostage release in Gaza that came to a standstill earlier this month.
Slovenia and Malta have also indicated in recent weeks that they plan to make the recognition.
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The announcements come as a mounting death toll in Gaza from Israel’s offensive to rout Hamas prompts calls globally for a ceasefire and lasting solution for peace in the region.
Since 1988, 139 out of 193 UN member states have recognised Palestinian statehood.
The Irish government has said recognition would complement peace efforts and support a two-state solution.
The development comes more than 30 years after the first Oslo agreement was signed in 1993. Since then, “the Palestinians have taken important steps towards a two-state solution,” the Norwegian government said.
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It said that the World Bank determined that a Palestinian state had met key criteria to function as a state in 2011, that national institutions have been built up to provide the population with important services.
“The war in Gaza and the constant expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank still mean that the situation in Palestine is more difficult than it has been in decades,” the Norwegian government said.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry has earlier warned against the move, saying in a post on social media platform X that recognition would “lead to more terrorism, instability in the region and jeopardise any prospects for peace”.
“Don’t be a pawn in the hands of Hamas,” the ministry said.
Hamas holds around 125 hostages seized during its cross-border rampage on October 7, which killed 1200 people, according to Israeli tallies, and triggered the war. Gaza medical officials say more than 35,000 have been killed during the Israeli offensive.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the news and called on other countries to follow.
In a statement carried by the official Wafa news agency, Abbas said Norway’s decision would enshrine “the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination” and support efforts to bring about a two-state solution with Israel.
AP, Reuters