Spain, Ireland, and Norway have announced that they will officially recognize a Palestinian state this Tuesday, a move that has provoked a sharp response from Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This decision comes as Israel faces mounting international isolation seven months into its military operations in Gaza.

Currently, 144 of the 193 United Nations member states recognize a Palestinian state, with supporters spanning the global south and major nations like Russia, China, and India. The trio’s recognition is primarily symbolic but aims to encourage more European Union countries to acknowledge Palestinian statehood, potentially influencing peace efforts in the region.

Spain and Ireland, two of the largest and most influential countries within the EU to take this step, join other EU nations such as Sweden, Cyprus, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Romania, and Bulgaria in recognizing a Palestinian state. Notably, Britain, Australia, Malta, and Slovenia have also shown interest in recognizing Palestine in recent months.

However, this move has not been universally welcomed. France has expressed reservations about the timing, and Germany, alongside the United States, has emphasized that a two-state solution should emerge from dialogue rather than unilateral actions.

In response to the recognition, Israel has withdrawn its ambassadors from Spain, Norway, and Ireland. It has also blocked Spanish consular services in the West Bank and accused Spain of supporting Hamas, an allegation that has heightened tensions between the nations.

This recognition by Spain, Ireland, and Norway includes the acknowledgment of pre-1967 borders, with Jerusalem envisioned as the capital for both Israel and a Palestinian state. The diplomatic shift is expected to lead to upgraded Palestinian representative offices in the West Bank to full embassies.