The leaders of Norway, Ireland and Spain have said their countries will formally recognise Palestine as a state for the sake of \u201cpeace in the Middle East\u201d. Norway\u2019s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said on Wednesday that a two-state solution was in Israel\u2019s best interest, adding that the recognition would come as of May 28. \u201cThere cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition,\u201d he said. Shortly after Norway\u2019s announcement, Ireland\u2019s Prime Minister Simon Harris said his country would also recognise a Palestinian state. \u201cToday, Ireland, Norway, and Spain are announcing that we recognise the state of Palestine,\u201d Harris said at a press conference. \u201cEach of us will now undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m confident that further countries will join us in taking this important step in the coming weeks,\u201d he added. Spain\u2019s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Wednesday that the country\u2019s council of ministers would also recognise an independent Palestinian state on May 28. Israel\u2019s Foreign Minister Israel Katz has ordered Israel\u2019s ambassadors from Ireland and Norway to immediately return to Israel. \u201cIreland and Norway intend to send a message today to the Palestinians and the whole world: terrorism pays,\u201d Katz said. Israel has said that recognition from the European nations will \u201cfuel extremism and instability\u201d and make them a \u201cpawn in the hands of Hamas\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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