(The Age & SMH, 23/5/2024)
God bless those countries who are acting for peace and justice – shows yet again the inhumanity of the USA and Britain – Mark
Copenhagen: Norway, Ireland and Spain are formally recognising Palestine as a state, their leaders said in coordinated announcements on Wednesday.
“There cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition,” Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said.
The three countries will recognise a Palestinian state as of May 28.
Several European Union countries have in the past weeks indicated that they planned to make the recognition, arguing a two-state solution is essential for lasting peace in the region.
Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said it was a move coordinated with Spain and Norway, “an historic and important day for Ireland and for Palestine”. He said the move was intended to help move the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to resolution through a two-state solution.
“In the lead up to today’s announcement, I’ve spoken with a number of other leaders and counterparts and I’m confident that further countries will join us in taking this important step in the coming weeks,” Harris said.
The recognition of statehood has particular resonance in Ireland given its history, Harris said.
“Taking our place on the world stage and being recognised by others as having the right to be there was a matter of the highest importance for the founders of our state,” he said.
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.
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