Ireland and Spain Repeat their Plan to Recognize Palestine as a Nation-State
The Irish taoiseach, Simon Harris, and Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, announced their intention to join forces and create an alliance of countries recognizing Palestine as a nation-state. The two leaders held bilateral talks in Dublin to discuss their plan and gain international support for a two-state solution in Israel and Palestine.
During a joint press conference, Harris and Sánchez stated that recognition of Palestinian statehood is becoming closer. Harris added that when Ireland moves forward, it would like to do so with as many other countries as possible to lend weight to the decision and send the most vital message. The people of Israel and Palestine deserve a secure and peaceful future with equal sovereignty, equal respect, and the ability to live together in peace.
Sánchez said waiting for others to take the initiative was not acceptable, referring to the ongoing war in Gaza and Ukraine. Dublin and Madrid will coordinate and raise Palestinian statehood at the European Council next week. In Oslo, Sánchez also met with Norway’s prime minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, and reiterated Madrid’s intention to recognize a Palestinian state by July. Støre said that Norway also stands ready to recognize Palestine as a nation-state.
Spain and Ireland have emerged as the most outspoken critics in the EU of Israel’s war in Gaza, which has claimed more than 33,000 lives, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The conflict erupted last October when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,170 people and kidnapping hundreds.
Since succeeding Leo Varadkar as taoiseach on Tuesday, Harris has underscored Ireland’s continued support for Palestinian statehood and an immediate ceasefire. In a meeting on Thursday with the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, he reiterated a formal joint request made with Spain two months ago to review the Israel-EU association agreement, which carries human rights obligations.
Spanish sources said the timetable for recognizing statehood by summer may depend on the UN Security Council considering a similar resolution in July. The EU parliament also attempts to establish a Europe-wide parliamentarian group to promote Palestinian statehood.
