Skip to main content
Ireland, Norway and Spain say they will recognise a Palestinian state
(left to right) Minister Eamon Ryan, Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tanaiste Micheal Martin arrive to speak to the media during a press conference outside the Government Buildings, Dublin, to announce the Republic of Ireland will recognise the state of Palestine, May 22, 2024.

IRELAND, Norway and Spain said today that they will recognise a Palestinian state, a historic but largely symbolic move that further deepens Israel’s isolation more than seven months into its total destruction of Gaza.

Israel immediately denounced the decisions and recalled its ambassadors to the three countries.

Palestinians welcomed the announcements as an affirmation of their decades-long quest for statehood in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, territories Israel seized in the 1967 war and still illegally controls.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
A displaced Palestinian youth sits on the curb after fleeing northern Gaza Strip, carrying his belongings along the coastal road near Wadi Gaza, September 22, 2025
Gaza / 23 September 2025
23 September 2025
RESPECT EARNED: Palestinian activists hang the flags of Spain and Norway in the West Bank city of Ramallah, in recognition of their diplomatic efforts for Palestine, September 16 2025
Features / 19 September 2025
19 September 2025

Spain has joined South Africa’s ICJ genocide case against Israel while imposing weapons bans and port restrictions, moves partly driven by trade unions — proving just how effectively civil society can reshape government policy, writes RAMZY BAROUD

People inspect the damage at the Sheikh Radwan al-Taba UNRWA clinic following an Israeli army bombardment in Gaza City, August 6, 2025
Gaza / 6 August 2025
6 August 2025

Israeli media awash with leaks and rumours of Netanyahu’s plans to seize Gaza. Meanwhile, the unrelenting siege of Gaza continues unabated 

Palestinians ride on a truck loaded with food and humanitarian aid from the World Food Programme, after it arrived in the northern Gaza Strip en route to Gaza City, June 16, 2025
Solidarity / 19 June 2025
19 June 2025

MICAELA TRACEY-RAMOS explains how Britain’s largest union is putting pressure on the British government to recognise the Palestinian state and end its complicity with Israel’s murderous actions