The war between Israel and Hamas and the situation in Gaza, live: news, reactions and more

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced that the country’s Council of Ministers will recognize an independent Palestinian state during the plenary session of the House of Representatives of the Spanish Parliament, in Madrid, Spain, on May 22. (Credit: Violeta Santos Mora/Reuters)

The prime ministers of Ireland, Spain and Norway praised his decision to recognize Palestinian statehood, calling it an “important step” towards “peace” in the region.

The three stressed the role of the Palestinian state in implementing the two-state solution in the Middle East.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told the Spanish Parliament that Spain had chosen “to recognize the State of Palestine for the sake of peace, cohesion and justice.”

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris described this step as an “important step” towards “lasting peace,” speaking to reporters in Dublin.

“Recognition is an act of strong political and symbolic value. It is an expression of our view that Palestine possesses and must be able to claim all state rights, including self-determination, self-government, territorial integrity and security.” Harris said.

“It is a decision made on the basis of its merits. But we cannot ignore the fact that we are making it while the Palestinians in Gaza are suffering the most horrific suffering, hardship and hunger. A humanitarian catastrophe that is unimaginable to most and unimaginable to all is unimaginable to most.” people and is unimaginable for everyone.” Evolving in real time.”

Harris acknowledged that although there will be “reactions” and “explanations” to the ramifications of the decision, it is important “not to lose sight” that the children of Gaza and Israel “deserve peace.”

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Sture told reporters in Oslo that “there can be no peace in the Middle East unless the Palestinians and Israelis have their own state, and there is a two-state solution.”

“There cannot be a two-state solution without a Palestinian state,” Storr said. “In other words, peace in the Middle East requires a Palestinian state.”