Several European Union (EU) countries, including Spain and Ireland, plan to recognize a Palestinian state. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell announced the plan on Thursday (May 9). They can recognize the Palestinian state on May 21. British news agency Reuters reported this news.
Several European Union (EU) countries, including Spain and Ireland, plan to recognize Palestinian statehood, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said ahead of an expected United Nations vote on Friday on Palestine’s full membership.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in March that a two-state solution was essential for lasting peace, with Slovenia and Malta agreeing to recognize a Palestinian state alongside Israel.
Asked on May 21 whether Spain, Ireland and other EU countries would recognize a Palestinian state, Borrell said yes. Besides, he said, Belgium and other countries will probably recognize it.
Earlier, without specifying a date, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albarez said the decision to recognize a Palestinian state had been made.
International calls for a cease-fire and a permanent solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict have grown as the death toll mounts in the Israeli offensive to eliminate Hamas.
Israel, meanwhile, says the Palestinian recognition plan would be a ‘reward for terrorism’.
An expected UN vote on Palestine’s full membership is due to take place on Friday. Ireland’s national media outlet RTE reported that Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and Malta are awaiting the UN vote. They also considered a joint recognition on May 21.
Asked to know more about this, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain did not comment. Besides, he did not say anything about when other countries will recognize it.
Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golub said earlier this week that his country would recognize a Palestinian state by mid-June.
Since 1988, 139 of the 193 member states of the United Nations have recognized the Palestinian state.
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