Current:Home > MyPalestinian prime minister visits Madrid after Spain, Norway and Ireland recognize Palestinian state -DollarDynamic
Palestinian prime minister visits Madrid after Spain, Norway and Ireland recognize Palestinian state
View
Date:2025-04-14 04:21:31
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez met with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa and leading officials from several Middle Eastern countries in Madrid on Wednesday after Spain, Ireland and Norway recognized a Palestinian state.
The diplomatic move by the three western European nations on Tuesday was slammed by Israel and will have little immediate impact on its grinding war in Gaza, but it was a victory for the Palestinians and could encourage other Western powers to follow suit.
“On behalf of President (Mahmoud) Abbas and the government of Palestine, the people of Palestine, we warmly welcome Spain’s recognition of the state of Palestine,” Mustafa said afterward. “This recognition strengthens our resolve to continue our struggle for a just and lasting peace.”
Mustafa was joined by Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Organization of Islamic Cooperation chairman Hussain Ibrahim Taha, and the foreign ministers for Turkey and Jordan, members of the group called the Foreign Ministerial Committee of Arabic and Islamic countries for Gaza. They also met with Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares.
More than 140 countries recognize a Palestinian state — more than two-thirds of the United Nations.
With Spain and Ireland, there are now nine members of the 27-nation European Union that officially recognize a Palestinian state. Norway is not an EU member but its foreign policy is usually aligned with the bloc.
Slovenia, an EU member, will decide on the recognition of a Palestinian state on Thursday and forward its decision to parliament for final approval.
“We salute Spain, and we salute Norway, Ireland and Slovenia for doing the right thing. We urge other European partners to do the same thing,” said Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi.
The move to recognize a Palestinian state has caused relations between the EU and Israel to nosedive. Madrid and Dublin are pushing for the EU to take measures against Israel for its continued attacks on southern Gaza’s city of Rafah.
The decision by Spain, Ireland and Norway comes more than seven months into an assault waged by Israel following the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack in which militants stormed across the Gaza border into Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostage. Israel’s air and land attacks have since killed 36,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between combatants and civilians.
___
Follow AP’s Israel-Hamas coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
veryGood! (33219)
Related
- Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
- Get 1000s of Old Navy Deals Under $25, 72% Off T3 Hair Tools, 70% Off Michael Kors & More Discounts
- When does 'The Challenge 40: Battle of the Eras' premiere? Cast, where to watch, stream
- Red Sox suspend Jarren Duran for two games for directing homophobic slur at fan
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- Advocates want para-surfing to be part of Paralympics after being overlooked for Los Angeles 2028
- Katie Couric says CBS' decision to replace Norah O'Donnell with 2 men is 'out of touch'
- Jarren Duran suspended 2 games by Red Sox for shouting homophobic slur at fan who heckled him
- What were Tom Selleck's juicy final 'Blue Bloods' words in Reagan family
- Detroit Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs leaves practice with hamstring injury
Ranking
- Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
- When does 'The Challenge 40: Battle of the Eras' premiere? Cast, where to watch, stream
- Matt Kuchar bizarrely stops playing on 72nd hole of Wyndham Championship
- NFL preseason winners, losers: Caleb Williams, rookie QBs sizzle in debuts
- Could your smelly farts help science?
- Prince William Debuts New Beard Alongside Kate Middleton in Olympics Video
- Starbucks replaces its CEO, names Chipotle chief to head the company
- Why Are the Starliner Astronauts Still in Space: All the Details on a Mission Gone Awry
Recommendation
Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
Prince William, Princess Kate congratulate Great Britain's Olympic team
Woman attacked after pleading guilty to helping man after he killed his three children
Barack Obama reveals summer 2024 playlist, book recs: Charli XCX, Shaboozey, more
Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
Country Singer Parker McCollum Welcomes First Baby With Wife Hallie Ray Light
Officer faces murder charge in shooting of pregnant Black woman who was accused of shoplifting
Colin Jost gives foot update after injury and Olympics correspondent exit