The leaders of Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and Malta on Friday signals their collective decision to officially recognise the state of Palestine.
Emphasising the imperative of a two-state solution for enduring peace and stability in the region, the statement underscores the leaders’ commitment to seeing both Israeli and Palestinian states coexist peacefully.
While acknowledging their readiness to acknowledge an independent Palestine, the leaders stipulated that the timing of recognition would depend on when it could have a positive impact and under the right circumstances.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez elaborated further on this decision following the European Council meeting in Brussels.
He noted the “inherent vagueness” surrounding the timing in the joint statement, stating that the decision to recognize Palestine has been made, leaving the debate centered on when it should be implemented.
Sanchez reiterated his promise made late last year to recognise Palestine within the current government’s term, which spans the next three and a half years at most.
Furthermore, he highlighted the European Council’s recent conclusions, which provide greater legitimacy to Spain’s position and potentially pave the way for other EU countries to follow suit.
In its Thursday conclusions, the EU addressed the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, emphasising its disproportionate impact on civilians, and called for an eventual cease-fire in Gaza, a first for the bloc.
Sanchez emphasised the urgency of the situation, stressing the need to monitor decisions made by the UN Security Council and the Palestinian Authority’s reformed governance capabilities in the weeks ahead.
Sanchez underscored that within Spain, the decision to recognise Palestine transcends political ideology, with many individuals from diverse political backgrounds sharing concerns over the ongoing suffering in Gaza and the injustices in the West Bank.
Notably, the leaders of the four EU countries involved in this initiative come from various regions in Europe and represent different political parties.
While the leaders stand united on this issue, it’s worth noting that Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced his resignation earlier in the week, adding a dynamic element to the political landscape.
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