Israel Recalls Ambassadors As Ireland And Norway Move To Officially Acknowledge Palestinian State

Israel summoned its envoys from Ireland and Norway for urgent consultations on Wednesday, ahead of the two governments’ expected decisions to formally recognize a Palestinian state.

In a statement, Foreign Minister Israel Katz stated, “Today, I am sending a sharp message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not go over this in silence. I have just ordered the return of the Israeli ambassadors from Dublin and Oslo to Israel for further consultations in Jerusalem”.

“The hasty steps of the two countries will have further serious consequences. If Spain realizes its intention to recognize a Palestinian state, a similar step will be taken against it”, Katz continued.

Norway will acknowledge Palestine as a state on May 28, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store announced at a news conference on Wednesday.

Ireland’s leaders were due to conduct a news conference at 0700 GMT after previously indicating that they would acknowledge Palestinian statehood by the end of the month.

Last week, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated that he would announce a date for the recognition of a Palestinian State on Wednesday.

The Israeli foreign minister claimed that the European countries’ actions were a gift for the Palestinian armed group Hamas and its extraordinary October 7 attack, which killed more than 1,170 persons.

Katz went on to say, “Ireland and Norway intend to send a message to the Palestinians and the whole world today: Terrorism pays”.

“The twisted step of these countries is an injustice to the memory of the 7/10 victims”, Katz continued.

Also read: Norway, Ireland, And Spain Acknowledge Palestinian State