Spain Moves Forward on Recognizing Palestinian Statehood

Spain is poised to take a significant step in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez indicated the country’s intention to recognize Palestinian statehood by July 2024. If it proceeds, the recognition will likely spark further debate and potentially complicate relations with Israel.

In a move that could influence other Western powers, Spain is aiming to recognize Palestinian statehood by July 2024 by April 2024.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is a vocal critic of Israel’s recent offensive in Gaza. He announced this goal during a trip to the Middle East. Sánchez hopes this recognition will pave the way for similar actions from other Western nations.

The European Union currently supports a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but lacks a unified stance on Palestinian statehood itself. While some EU members like Spain, Ireland, and Malta favor unilateral recognition, others like Germany prefer it as part of a negotiated two-state solution.

Spain joins Sweden, which recognized Palestine in 2014, and several Eastern European nations that did so before entering the EU. France has also considered recognition, while the UK has expressed openness to it under specific conditions.

Spanish officials view recognition as a step towards a two-state solution. Sánchez previously signaled this intention without a timeframe. In March, he expressed willingness to recognize Palestine with other countries if it contributes positively.

Spain can recognize Palestine without parliamentary approval. Officials believe the US and other Western powers on the UN Security Council may recognize Palestine as a full member in April.

The Spanish government also sees the need for Arab states to recognize Israel as part of a lasting solution. Sánchez is reportedly pushing Saudi Arabia and Qatar to change their stance during his current trip.

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This news comes amidst ongoing violence in the region. The recent airstrike that killed seven humanitarian workers has been condemned by Spain, which joins the international call for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid access.

Arab states and the EU had agreed at a meeting in Spain in November that a two-state solution was the answer to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Since 1988, 139 out of 193 U.N. member states have recognized Palestinian statehood.