Madrid/ Oslo/ Dublin (Agencies): Spain, Ireland and Norway officially recognised a Palestinian state on Tuesday, despite an angry reaction from Israel, which has found itself increasingly isolated after more than seven months of conflict in Gaza.
Madrid, Dublin and Oslo said they sought to accelerate efforts to secure a ceasefire in Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza.
The three countries say they hope their decision will spur other European Union (EU) countries to follow suit.
Earlier, in a televised address, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that his country has recognised a Palestinian state, including the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, unified under the Palestinian National Authority, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Pedro Sanchez said that Spain would not recognise any changes to Palestinian borders after 1967 unless all the parties agree on them.
"Recognition of the state of Palestine ... is an essential requirement if we are all to achieve peace," he said.
Spain joins Ireland, Norway and 144 other countries to acknowledge Palestinian statehood.
Meanwhile, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said in a statement that “for more than 30 years, Norway has been one of the strongest advocates for a Palestinian state.
Today, when Norway officially recognizes Palestine as a state, is a milestone in the relationship between Norway and Palestine.”
By joining more than 140 of the 193 member-states of the United Nations (UN) that recognise a Palestinian state, Madrid, Dublin and Oslo said they sought to accelerate efforts to secure a ceasefire in Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza.
