Minister backs move to recognise Palestinian state
France’s plan to recognise the Palestinian state has been endorsed by the Palestinian Authority Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Middle East Eye via AFP reported on April 10th.
Varsen Aghabekian Shahin stated that the recognition “would be a step in the right direction, consistent with the defence of the rights of the Palestinian people and the two-state solution.”
French President, Emmanuel Macron, announced that Paris could formally recognise a Palestinian state by June. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar responded on April 9th. He said: “A unilateral recognition of a fictional Palestinian state, by any country, in the reality that we all know, will be a prize for terror and a boost for Hamas.”
On May 7th, 2024 Arab News reported that the United Nations was preparing to vote on full Palestinian membership, as cited by Levantis. Subsequently, according to The National and agencies on May 22nd last year, Norway, Ireland, and Spain officially recognised the State of Palestine.
Ireland’s then Prime Minister, Simon Harris, characterised the recognition as a vital step toward peace. Meanwhile, Norway and Spain announced that their recognition would take effect on May 28th last year. In addition, both Slovenia and Malta expressed intentions to follow suit.
Moreover, Al Arabiya English on April 29th last year indicated that several EU member states were actively moving toward formal recognition of Palestine as a state. This being, Spain, Ireland, Malta, and Slovenia.
Arab News, Middle East Eye via AFP
