Spain, Ireland and Norway will recognize a Palestinian state on May 28. Why does that matter?

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: Associated Press

Spain, Ireland and Norway will recognize a Palestinian state on May 28. Why does that matter?

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Updated 6:01 AM EDT, May 22, 2024

Spain, Ireland and Norway said Wednesday that they would recognize a Palestinian state on May 28, a step toward a long-held Palestinian aspiration that came amid international outrage over the civilian death toll and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip following Israel’s offensive.

The almost simultaneous decisions by two European Union countries, and Norway, may generate momentum for the recognition of a Palestinian state by other EU countries and could spur further steps at the United Nations, deepening Israel’s isolation. Malta and Slovenia, which also belong to the 27-nation European Union, may follow suit. ... Some 140 of 190 represented in the U.N. countries have already recognized a Palestinian state.

Here’s a look at how and why the new European announcements could be important:

The 1948 U.N. decision that created Israel envisaged a neighboring Palestinian state, but some 70 years later control of the Palestinian territories remains divided and bids for U.N. membership have been denied.

{snip}

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-palestinian-state-recognition-what-to-know-ed18d4cc50b20c8238e0de0068080eb0

[Lonestarblue]

1. I believe it's important for the US, as Israel's most powerful supporter, to put a stake in the sand as well.

It does not deny Israeli statehood to support Palestinian statehood, and the US should stop blocking Palestinians at the UN. As Netanyahu continues his ethnic cleansing of Palestinians and destruction of Gaza, more countries are likely to support Palestinian rights and isolate Israel, which is not good for their future. As someone here said yesterday, waiting for Bibi and MAGA Israelis to accept Palestinian rights is waiting for Godot.

[Prairie Gates]

2. The rest of Europe will follow

The tone of the European press regarding the continued Israeli military actions in Gaza is somewhere between somber and irate.

Yes, yes, of course, that's because Europe is antisemitic! Keep playing that card. It's going great.

[jaxexpat]

3. Two of the three nations are NATO members. Just how fractious can that ........

body become and remain potent? Who gains when NATO weakens?

[Traurigkeit]

9. North Atlaantic Treaty Organization is a separate entity

[jaxexpat]

10. Of course it is. Gosh. How could I be so silly? Thanks for the handy info.

[duckworth969]

4. Good news

[sarisataka]

5. What does that even mean?

Though the EU countries and Norway won’t be recognizing an existing state, just the possibility of one, the symbolism helps enhance the Palestinians’ international standing and heaps more pressure on Israel to open negotiations on ending the war.

They are recognizing a state they admit does not exist but could be? Isn't that the current situation for anyone supporting a two-state solution?

[Mosby]

6. The international community only pressures Israel it seems.

And it reinforces the false notion that it's Israel preventing a Palestinian state from existing.

And it's not Israel that won't negotiate terms of Hamas’s surrender and return of the hostages. But that's not what the world wants, is it?

[sarisataka]

7. The revelation that Egypt sank the ceasefire agreement

doesn't even rate a "meh" https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143244020

Egypt halts aid through the Rafah crossing and Israel is told to open other crossings.

It seems no country or organization has any agency except Israel. And the US. We have daily posts about Biden's "failings"

[Traurigkeit]

8. The Irish know of genocide. England killed millions of Irish, so Ireland understands too well.

[LT Barclay]

11. Have you read the book "All Standing"?

The Irish were treated like vermin. The book is about the Jeannie Johnston, the only ship that never lost a passenger during the famine.
I think because of their unique perspective, I’d trust the Irish on this issue.

[Traurigkeit]

13. Book ordered. Thank you

[maxsolomon]

12. This is an analysis piece.

It isn't really LBN.