The Arab League has expressed its approval of the official recognition of the state of Palestine by Spain, Ireland, and Norway. The prime ministers of these three countries announced their intention to recognize Palestine as a state on May 28. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the secretary-general of the Arab League, hailed this move as a significant step that demonstrates a genuine commitment to the two-state solution and reflects these nations’ sincere desire to protect it from those seeking to undermine or eradicate it.
According to Gamal Roshdy, spokesman for Aboul Gheit, this development follows similar recognitions by Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Bahamas, bringing the total number of countries recognizing the Palestinian state to approximately 147, aligning with the overwhelming global consensus. Roshdy emphasized that such recognition is a fundamental aspect of the state’s standing in international law.
Quoting Aboul Gheit, Roshdy stated that this step embodies a principled political, moral, and legal stance and marks a significant milestone toward realizing the Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Aboul Gheit also conveyed that recognition sends a clear message to Palestinians: the world is steadfast in defending their right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state.
Aboul Gheit underlined that, in the face of current challenges, a political pathway leading to the realization of the Palestinian state is inevitable. He urged countries that have not yet recognized Palestine to reconsider their positions and align themselves with the course of history. Furthermore, he highlighted that recognizing Palestine signifies a genuine commitment to the two-state solution, veering away from violent approaches and fostering peace and security across the region.