EU countries to recognize Palestinian state in coming days

Spain, Ireland and other member countries of the European Union intend to recognize the Palestinian state on May 21, the head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell announced on Thursday night, reports Reuters, taken over by Agerpres.

In March, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that Spain and Ireland, along with Slovenia and Malta, had agreed to take the first step towards recognizing a Palestinian state alongside the existing Israeli one, believing that a two-state solution is essential for lasting peace. in the Middle East.

Asked on the Spanish radio station RNE if May 21 is the date when Spain, Ireland and other EU countries will recognize a Palestinian state, Borrell answered in the affirmative, mentioning the name of Slovenia.

“This is a symbolic act of a political nature. More than a state, he recognizes the desire for that state to exist,” he said.

The EU representative added that Belgium and other countries will probably take the same step as Spain and Ireland.

Earlier, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares had stated that the decision on recognition had been made, although he did not mention a specific date.

International calls for a cease-fire and for the final end of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have increased as the Israeli offensive against Hamas positions in the Gaza Strip has expanded.

The current conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas erupted after an unprecedented terrorist attack on October 7, 2023 by Palestinian militant commandos in southern Israel, when at least 1,170 people were killed. Another 250 people were taken hostage and taken to the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli army retaliated with a bombing campaign, followed by a ground operation, against Hamas positions in the Gaza Strip. According to the Hamas authorities, the Israeli military actions resulted in 34,904 dead (of which at least 60 deaths in the last 24 hours) and 78,514 wounded among Palestinians until Thursday noon.

Publisher: ML

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