‘The Norwegian Government has decided that Norway will recognize Palestine as a state,” Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said, as he explained that the move was his country’s response to the Gaza war.
TOVAH LAZAROFF
MAY 22, 2024 08:21 Updated: MAY 22, 2024 11:02
Ireland and Norway announced their recognition of Palestine as a state on Wednesday morning and Spain is expected to follow suit later in the day.
“Our step today, taken with Norway and Spain, is a further recognition of the legitimate right to statehood,” Prime Minister Simon Harris said.
“It is a statement of unequivocal support for a two-state solution, the only credible path to peace and security for Israel, Palestine, and for their peoples.
“We have previously said that recognition is a step we would ideally have taken as part of the process towards that goal.
“However, we are three decades after the Oslo process, and perhaps further than ever from a just sustainable and comprehensive peace settlements. Our decision to recognize Palestine should not have to wait indefinitely,” Harris said.
Norwegian flags flutter at Karl Johans street in Oslo, Norway May 31, 2017. (credit: REUTERS)
Støre explained that the move was his country’s response to the Gaza war.
‘The ongoing war in Gaza has made it abundantly clear that achieving peace and stability must be predicated on resolving the Palestinian question.
“The war is the lowest point in the prolonged Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The situation in the Middle East has not been this grave for many years,” Støre said.
“In the midst of a war, with tens of thousands killed and injured, we must keep alive the only alternative that offers a political solution for Israelis and Palestinians alike: Two states, living side by side, in peace and security,’ he explained.
“The Palestinian people have a fundamental, independent right to self-determination. Both Israelis and Palestinians have a right to live in peace in their respective states,” he said.
‘No peace in the Middle East without a two-state solution’
“There will be no peace in the Middle East without a two-state solution. There can be no two-state solution without a Palestinian state. In other words, a Palestinian state is a prerequisite for achieving peace in the Middle East,’ Støre stressed.
His office explained that the territory Norway views as part of that state is based on the pre-1967 lines and envisions Jerusalem as the capital of both states. This designation is without prejudice to any final status agreement that might be reached by the parties.
“Recognition of Palestine is a means of supporting the moderate forces which have been losing ground in this protracted and brutal conflict,” Store said.
The move “also sends a strong message to other countries to follow the example of Norway and a number of other European countries and recognize the state of Palestine,” he explained.
“This could ultimately make it possible to resume the process towards achieving a two-state solution and give it renewed momentum,’ Store added.
Content retrieved from: https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-802144.