Spain, Ireland and Norway recognized a Palestinian state. Here’s why it matters.

Spain, Ireland and Norway formally recognized a Palestinian state on Tuesday, a step towards a long-standing Palestinian aspiration that has been fueled by international outrage over civilian deaths and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip after Israeli offensive.

The joint decision by two European Union countries and Norway could generate momentum for the recognition of a Palestinian state by other EU countries and could encourage new measures at the United Nations, deepening Israel’s isolation.

How and why European ads can matter

Before the measures taken by Spain, Ireland and Norway, seven members of the European Union, made up of 27 countries, officially recognized a Palestinian state. Five of them are countries from the former Eastern bloc that announced recognition in 1988, like Cyprus, before joining the bloc. Sweden’s recognition came in 2014.

The United States, Britain and other Western countries have supported the idea of ​​an independent Palestinian state existing alongside Israel as a solution to the Middle East’s most intractable conflict, but insist that the creation of a Palestinian state must be part of a negotiated agreement. There have been no substantive negotiations since 2009.

Although EU countries and Norway do not recognize the existence of a state, only the possibility of one, the symbolism helps improve the international standing of the Palestinians and increases pressure on Israel to open negotiations on ending the war. Furthermore, the measure gives additional prominence to the Middle East issue ahead of the European Parliament elections, from 6 to 9 June.

Will anything change on the ground?

Although dozens of countries have recognized a Palestinian state, none of the major Western powers have done so, and it is unclear what difference the three countries’ move could make.

Still, its recognition represents a significant achievement for Palestinians, who believe it gives international legitimacy to their struggle. Norway has said it will transform its representative office for Palestinian relations into an embassy, ​​but it was not clear what Ireland and Spain would do.

Little will probably change on the ground in the short term. Peace talks are stalled and Israel’s hard-line government has insisted against the creation of a Palestinian state.

What is Israel’s reaction?

Israel, which rejects any move to legitimize Palestinians internationally, recalled its ambassadors to Ireland, Norway and Spain after announcing the decision last week.

In a video statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that “the intention of several European countries to recognize a Palestinian state is a reward for terrorism.”

Measures like those by the three European countries will harden the Palestinian position and undermine the negotiation process, Israel says, insisting that all issues must be resolved through negotiations.

Around 140 countries have recognized a Palestinian state – more than two-thirds of the membership of the United Nations.

Some major powers have indicated that their position may be evolving amid protests over the fallout from Israel’s offensive in Gaza, which killed more than 36,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. The ministry does not distinguish between non-combatants and combatants in its count. Israel launched the offensive following the Hamas-led attack on October 7, in which militants invaded Israel across the Gaza border, killing 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages.

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said that no recognition of a Palestinian state could occur while Hamas remained in Gaza, but that it could happen while Israeli negotiations with Palestinian leaders were ongoing.

France has indicated that it is not prepared to join other countries in recognizing a Palestinian state, even if it does not oppose the idea in principle. Germany has said it will not recognize a Palestinian state for now.