Are more European nations finally moving to recognise Palestine statehood?
The premiers of Spain and Ireland are set to meet on Friday to discuss a collective plan to recognise Palestinian statehood.
This meeting comes as the death toll of Israel’s war in Gaza has surpassed 33,000.
The mounting deaths, starvation and destruction of infrastructure in the besieged enclave have resulted in growing international criticism of Israel. Within Europe, the concerns over Israel’s war on Gaza have also led to shifting positions — including more nations considering the possibility of recognising the Palestinian state.
Here’s where things stand — and how they’re changing.
What are Ireland and Spain saying about Palestinian statehood?
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will meet Ireland’s newly appointed leader Simon Harris in Dublin on Friday. Both Spain and Ireland have in recent weeks confirmed that they will recognise a Palestinian state.
This is the first of many meetings Sanchez intends to have over the next week to garner support for the recognition of Palestine.
Sanchez plans to also meet with the prime ministers of Norway, Ireland, Portugal, Slovenia and Belgium, government spokeswoman Pilar Alegria told reporters.
“We want to stop the humanitarian disaster in Gaza and help kickstart a political peace process leading to the realisation of the two-state solution as early as possible,” Alegria said.
Over the course of the war that started on October 7, Ireland and Spain have emerged as the biggest supporters of Palestine in the European Union (EU).
Are others in Europe shifting positions on Palestinian statehood?
At a summit on March 22, the leaders of Ireland and Spain were also joined by their counterparts from Slovenia and Malta in committing to the recognition of a Palestinian state.
