<h6><strong>Eduardo González</strong></h6> <h4><strong>Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares presided over the event commemorating the first anniversary of the Council of Ministers' decision to officially recognize the State of Palestine this Wednesday in Madrid. He urged other countries to follow Spain's example because it was "a necessary decision, a fair decision, and, in light of what we have seen this year, an urgent decision."</strong></h4> On May 28, 2024, the President of the Government Pedro Sánchez announced to the press that the Council of Ministers had just officially recognized the State of Palestine. Spain's decision was adopted simultaneously by Ireland and Norway. As a result, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz summoned the ambassadors of Spain (Ana Sálomon), Ireland, and Norway to Tel Aviv to warn them that their respective governments' recognition of the State of Palestine would have "serious" consequences for bilateral relations. On the occasion of this anniversary, Albares presided over an event at Casa Árabe on Wednesday, in which he stated that the recognition of Palestine was "a necessary decision, a just decision, and, in light of what we have seen this year, an urgent decision." During the event—which included members of the Palestinian government, civil society organizations, and ambassadors and diplomatic representatives from various European, Arab, and Islamic countries—Albares asserted that the only way to end the conflict is through the recognition of two states living in peace and security. "There is no alternative, there is no other path, there is no other way to peace in Palestine. Therefore, recognition was and is necessary," he stated. Likewise, the minister also encouraged other countries to follow Spain's example because recognition was "a decision that has driven progress on the path toward peace," with the creation in September 2024 of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution or the convening of the High-Level Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, which will take place on June 17 at the United Nations. “Our position is not directed against anyone,” but rather in favor of peace, international law, and justice for both peoples,” the minister added, asserting that Spain has moved from words to deeds with “the intention of spearheading an embargo on arms sales to Israel to stop the violence in Gaza, as well as the implementation of sanctions against violent settlers and those who hinder peace and the two-state solution.” <h5><strong>Meeting with Arab ambassadors</strong></h5> As part of the events commemorating the first anniversary of the recognition of the Palestinian state, Albares held a meeting with the ambassadors of the Arab countries accredited in Spain, during which he stated that “Spain is working for a Palestinian people who can live in peace and has taken decisive steps toward the implementation of the two-state solution.” Albares, who brought together ambassadors from 16 countries and the head of mission of the League of Arab States at the ministerial headquarters in the Viana Palace, asserted that Spain’s recognition was not a mere symbolic gesture, but had been translated into action. specific ones, such as the recent Madrid+ meeting on the implementation of the two-state solution, held on 25 May. <h5><strong>Joint Declaration</strong></h5> Separately, the governments of Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and Norway issued a Joint Declaration this Wednesday, marking the first anniversary of the recognition of Palestine. In this declaration, they advocate for “the implementation of the two-state solution” and call for “the individual recognition of Palestine and Israel by those who have not yet done so” and for “Palestine to join the United Nations as a full member.” In the Declaration, the four countries (three of which, Spain, Ireland, and Norway, recognized the Palestinian state a year ago) warn that “only a viable and contiguous Palestinian state, with internationally recognized borders, comprising Gaza and the West Bank and with East Jerusalem as its capital, can fully satisfy the legitimate national aspirations and the needs for peace and security of both the Palestinian and Israeli people.” “This commitment has had an undeniable impact on the international dynamics surrounding the conflict in Gaza, generating momentum for the implementation of the two-state solution,” the signatories assert. “After many years of stalemate, the implementation of the two-state solution and the recognition of Palestine are not only morally right, but have also generated the necessary momentum to rekindle the spirit of implementing that solution,” they continue. “In September 2024, at the United Nations, the international community agreed to the creation of the Global Partnership to Implement the Two-State Solution” and, “at its meetings, in this spirit, it has sought to make the two-state solution possible,” the text continues. “The momentum generated in May of last year finally culminated on December 10, 2024, when the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/79/81, convening a High-Level Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution,” the signatory countries recall. “We believe that this High-Level Conference, to be held on June 17, 2025, under the auspices of the United Nations and co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, represents not only the occasion with the highest possible degree of international legitimacy, but also the appropriate framework to finally advance the implementation of the two-state solution,” they add. “We have committed, together with all the countries participating in the ‘Madrid+: For the Implementation of the Two-State Solution’ meeting, to substantially engage in the work of the Global Partnership and to ensure meaningful participation in the High-Level Conference,” they affirm. “We recall that recognition is another step toward implementing the two-state solution, and we call on all members of the international community to take the necessary steps to make it a reality, including individual recognition of Palestine and Israel by those who have not yet done so, Palestine's admission to the United Nations as a full member, and support for an agreement between the parties, with mutual recognition between Palestine and Israel,” they continue. “It is up to the parties to bring peace to the region, but the international community has an obligation to alter this current dynamic on the ground, which has created an endless cycle of violence and devastation,” the text concludes.
