Norway, Ireland, and Spain will formally recognise the State of Palestine next week — a move that is seen as a monumental development for the Palestinian cause.

The recognition from the three is expected to pave the way for other countries to follow suit in the coming weeks.

“Today, Ireland, Norway and Spain are announcing that we recognise the state of Palestine,” Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said at a news conference.

“Each of us will now undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision.”

Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store stated that a two-state solution is in Israel’s best interests and announced that Palestinian statehood will be recognised on May 28th. 

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez made a similar statement in Madrid. 

“There cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition,” said Gahr Store in Oslo

“In the midst of a war, with tens of thousands killed and injured [in Gaza], we must keep alive the only alternative that offers a political solution for Israelis and Palestinians alike: Two states, living side by side, in peace and security,” Gahr Store said.

Although many favour a two-state solution with an independent Palestine, others argue for a new single state where Muslims and Jews live as equal citizens free from discrimination, racism and occupation.

Muslim countries, including Saudi Arabia and Jordan, warmly welcomed the move. The Palestinian Authority and Hamas also approved it.

But Israel ordered its ambassadors from Ireland and Norway for “urgent consultations.” It had already recalled its ambassador from Spain in November after Sanchez accused it of breaching international humanitarian law in Gaza.

“History is being made”

Hossam Zomlot, the Palestinian ambassador to the United Kingdom, hailed the decision.

“History is being made. Thank you Ireland, Norway and Spain for recognising our inalienable right to self-determination and our distinct national identity,” he wrote on X.

“This will move us closer to justice and a sustainable peace. We urge the few remaining countries in the world, especially the UK, with its historic responsibility, to follow suit and provide a long overdue path out from occupation, colonisation, oppression and apartheid, to equality under law and accountability.”

During the news conference, Ireland’s Harris said: “A two-state solution is the only way out of the generational cycles of violence, retaliation and resentment.

“I’m confident that further countries will join us in taking this important step in the coming weeks,” he said, adding that the recognition has particular significance in Ireland given its history.

Sanchez said on X that Spain would officially recognise an independent Palestinian state on May 28, “echoing the will of the majority of the Spanish people.”

In his speech in parliament, he accused Benjamin Netanyahu of putting the two-state solution in “danger” with his policy of “pain and destruction” in Gaza.

“We hope that our recognition and our reasons contribute to other Western countries to follow this path, because the more we are, the more strength we will have to impose a ceasefire,” Sanchez said.