Palestine does not expect the decisions of European Union countries to recognize its state to have a positive impact on Israel’s position. In an interview about this RIA News Salah Abdel Shafi, Palestinian Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Observer to the UN in Vienna.
Thus, the diplomat commented on Israel’s reaction to the recognition of Palestine’s independence by some European countries on May 22.
“We do not expect a positive impact on Israel’s attitude. On the contrary, Israel now continues to move towards complete isolation at the international level,” Shafi said.
On May 22, the Norwegian government officially statedRecognizing the independence of the State of Palestine. The decision will come into force on May 28.
Palestine’s independence was recognized after Norway Ireland And Spain.
In this context, Israel recalled The Norwegian and Irish ambassadors called for further consultations and threatened similar measures against Spain. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu statedHe said that his country would not allow such a state to appear on its borders. According to him, 80 percent of Palestinians in the West Bank support the radical Palestinian movement Hamas’ attack on Israeli settlements on October 7, 2023.
Until now, Palestine was recognized by nine member states of the European Union. Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovakia adopted the relevant decision in 1988, even before joining the EU, while Sweden adopted it in 2014.
Previously recognized The main reasons why the independence of Palestine was recognized by European countries.