Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre announced that Norway will recognize an independent Palestinian state in the midst of the ongoing war between Israeli forces and Hamas terrorists in Gaza. Støre expressed hope that this recognition will help bring peace between the two sides, emphasizing the need for two states to coexist peacefully. Ireland and Spain have also announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state, with other European countries indicating similar intentions. The European Union members Slovenia and Malta have underscored the importance of a two-state solution for lasting peace in the Middle East.
Prior to Støre’s announcement, 143 out of 193 member-states of the United Nations had already recognized a Palestinian state. However, the European countries do not have a unified stance on the issue. Some, such as Sweden, have previously recognized a Palestinian state, while others like France are holding off on recognition until it can contribute to progress towards peace. The recent Israeli attacks on the northern and southern edges of the Gaza Strip have led to a new exodus of hundreds of thousands of people and restricted the flow of aid. These attacks are part of Israel’s ongoing offensive in response to Hamas’ assault on the Jewish State on Oct. 7.
Norway has historically stated that it would recognize Palestine as a country only if it could positively impact peace efforts, aligning with the stance of the United States on the issue of a Palestinian state. Norwegian efforts to facilitate peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians have been ongoing over the years. The recent move to recognize Palestine reflects Norway’s continuing commitment to peacebuilding in the region. Reuters has contributed to the reporting on this development, shedding light on the evolving dynamics in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and international efforts to resolve the longstanding tensions.
