Norway Admits Palestine State; Ireland and Spain To Accompany

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said on Wednesday that Norway would recognize an independent Palestinian state in the hopes that this would contribute to peace negotiations with Israel.

According to reports, Spain and Ireland will also declare their support for a Palestinian state on Wednesday.

Members of the European Union, Slovenia and Malta, have also said in recent weeks that they want to recognize each other, claiming that a two-state solution is necessary for enduring peace in the area.

“We have to preserve the only thing that can offer a safe haven for both Israelis and Palestinians: two states that can live in peace with each other,” Stoere said during a news conference in the midst of a conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.

Prior to the declaration, around 143 of the 193 UN members acknowledged the existence of a Palestinian state.

Different approaches have been taken by European nations on this subject. While other countries, like Sweden, recognized the state of Palestine ten years ago, France does not currently have plans to do the same unless it may be a useful weapon in advancing peace negotiations.

The actions coincide with the attacks by Israeli troops on the northern and southern borders of the Gaza Strip in May, which resulted in the fresh departure of hundreds of thousands of civilians and severely curtailed the supply of supplies, increasing the likelihood of hunger.

In line with what the US has said on the matter, non-EU member Norway has long said that it would recognize Palestine as a nation only if it could positively influence the peace process.

Norway is a strong friend of the United States and has made many attempts in recent decades to mediate peace between Israel and the Palestinians.