Norway officially recognized an independent Palestinian state, with Spain and Ireland set to follow suit later on Tuesday, despite strong Israeli opposition.
In a statement released Tuesday, the Norwegian foreign minister, Espen Barth Eide, said, “Norway’s formal recognition of Palestine as a state will enter into force on Tuesday 28 May 2024.”
“A number of other like-minded European countries will also formally recognize Palestine on that same date,” the ministry added.
“By recognizing 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 October 7.”
The European leaders announced a peace initiative after seven months of conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement, Hamas, hoping other nations would follow suit and improve peace chances.
At a joint news conference with the foreign ministers of the three nations, Ireland's Michael Martin stated that the joint decision reflects the countries’ determination “to make a fundamental paradigm shift.”
