Eduardo González
The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, today obtained the support of the Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre, to the recognition of the State of Palestine as a “full member of the United Nations” to the extent that “it can make a genuine and positive contribution to a political process towards peace between Israel and Palestine.”
Sánchez was received in Oslo by Jonas Gahr Støre as part of a tour by the President of the Government to obtain the support of other European leaders for the recognition of the Palestinian State, which has become one of the great priorities of the Chief of Executive in foreign policy. . Sánchez will travel this afternoon to Ireland, where he will meet with the Irish Prime Minister, Simon Harris, whom he will try to sound out to see if he maintains the position of his predecessor, Leo Varadkar, in favor of the State of Palestine.
At the end of the meeting, Pedro Sánchez and Jonas Gahr Støre agreed on a joint statement, read to the media, in which they condemn the “atrocious terrorist attack of October 7 carried out by Hamas”, express their “deepest condolences to people and the State of Israel”, demand “the unconditional release of all remaining hostages” and condemn “the use of sexual and gender violence during and after the terrorist attacks led by Hamas.”
Likewise, the statement condemns “the indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force” in Gaza “by Israel”, calls for “an immediate ceasefire and a drastic and sustained increase in humanitarian aid to and within Gaza” and warns of “Israel’s responsibility regarding humanitarian access.”
Likewise, the two leaders warn that “all humanitarian actors must be allowed to continue their indispensable humanitarian efforts in Gaza and the region, without fearing for their own lives” and describe as “unacceptable” the “attacks against civilians, including personnel humanitarian and the recent attack on the World Central Kitchen aid convoy.”
On the other hand, the joint declaration of Spain and Norway commits to “support the new (Palestinian) Government of Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa” and defends “the need to unify the West Bank and Gaza under a legitimate authority.” In this sense, he warns, “Israel must make fundamental changes to its policies so that the Palestinian Authority can function and deliver for its people.”
Likewise, Pedro Sánchez and Jonas Gahr Støre declare that “the implementation of the two-state solution, in which Israelis and Palestinians live side by side in peace and security, is vital for peace and stability in the region” and , warn, in this sense, that “the Palestinian state is a condition for the realization of the two-state solution, in line with the UN partition plan of 1947.”
The two chief executives, the statement continued, addressed their “willingness to recognize Palestine as a State and support its full membership in the United Nations,” which they will do “when it can make a genuine and positive contribution to a political process towards peace.” between Israel and Palestine.
The statement addresses coordination with initiatives such as the Arab Peace Plan, highlights “the vital role of UNRWA, both in Gaza and in the wider region”, welcomes “the announcements by countries to resume support for the organization ” and states that “all countries that have suspended their contributions should reconsider their decisions and fulfill their commitments.”
The text concludes with a condemnation of the “unacceptable and illegal attacks against civilian ships in the Red Sea”, shows “mutual concern about the growing unrest in the Middle East region in general” and agrees “that all actors must show restraint and contribute to the reduction of tension.”
The US position
On Thursday afternoon, the spokesperson for the North American State Department, Matthew Miller, said, when asked about the Spanish initiative to promote the recognition of Palestine as a State before July, that each country makes its own decisions, but pointed out that Washington believes that goal is “best” achieved through dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians and other countries in the region.
“Each country must make its own decisions regarding when and where it makes recognition of this type,” said Miller, words that sources in Pedro Sánchez’s Executive do not consider a disavowal or criticism of the Spanish initiative, but rather a repetition of the Washington’s traditional thesis
.
