The decision by three European countries – Ireland, Norway and Spain – to recognise a Palestinian state fits into a long-term goal of Palestinian officials to secure diplomatic acceptance, but it appears that the immediate practical impact will be limited.
Broadly speaking, recognising a state means declaring that it meets the conditions of statehood under international law.It typically opens a path to setting up diplomatic relations and an embassy there.
But the European countries appeared to be mostly concerned with expressing support for Palestinians and sending a message to Israel.
The foreign minister of Norway said the country’s representative office to the Palestinian Authority, which was opened in the West Bank in 1999, would become an embassy. He gave no date for this change but said it would enable Norway to enter into bilateral agreements.
Recognition would also have some “domestic legal effects in Norway in areas where issues related to the state of Palestine arise,” he said.
Ireland and Spain focused on the need for peace in Gaza and the importance of a two-state solution, but did not mention embassies or other immediate changes. “Recognition of Palestine isn’t the end of a process, it is the beginning,” said Irish PM Simon Harris.
US: Palestinian state should come via talks
US Prez Joe Biden believes a Palestinian state should be achieved through negotiations, not unilateral recognition, the White House said on Wednesday after Ireland, Spain and Norway said they would recognize a Palestinian state this month. “The president is a strong supporter of a two-state solution and has been throughout his career,” aspokesman for the White House National Security Council said. “He believes a Palestinian state should be realised through direct negotiations between the parties, not through unilateral recognition.”