The White House rejected this Wednesday (22) the decision by Spain, Ireland and Norway to formally recognize Palestine as an independent state on the 28th, claiming that a two-state solution must be reached through diplomatic negotiations.
A spokesperson for the National Security Council told the television network CNN that while “the President (Joe Biden) is a strong supporter of a two-state solution and has been throughout his career,” he believes that “a Palestinian state must be achieved through direct negotiations between the parties, not through unilateral recognition”.
Biden has defended his position on several occasions in recent months. At a public event last weekend, the American president stated that the two-state solution is “the only way for people to live in peace, security and dignity.”
Repercussion between countries
Belgium – The Prime Minister of Belgium, Alexander de Croo, also rejected this Wednesday the immediate recognition of the Palestinian State, as Spain, Ireland and Norway will do on the 28th, as he considers that “the priority” is to free the Israeli hostages held by the terrorist group Hamas and achieve a ceasefire in the war in Gaza
“Belgium’s priority at the moment is to see how we can free the hostages and how we can have an immediate ceasefire,” De Croo told the television network LN24.
However, the issue will be discussed by the government’s Council of Ministers later today, with the socialist, environmentalist and Flemish Christian Democrat benches pressuring De Croo, from the liberal party, to follow in the footsteps of Spain, Ireland and Norway.
France – French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné said recognition of Palestine “is not a taboo” but must be done “at the right time” so that it “is decisive.”
The recognition of a Palestinian state is not just a symbolic issue or a political position, but a diplomatic tool at the service of the two-state solution, Sejourné further stated.
According to the minister, “France does not consider that the conditions exist for this decision to have a real impact on this process at the moment.”
Jordan and Egypt – The two countries welcomed the decision by Spain, Norway and Ireland to recognize Palestine as a state as positive news that could “create a political horizon” for peace in the Middle East.
“We warmly welcome the recognition of the State of Palestine, and we appreciate these decisions that consolidate the path to peace and a two-state solution,” Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said at a news conference in Amman alongside the Hungarian Chancellor, Péter Szijjártó.
Safadi said he hoped other countries would join Spain, Norway and Ireland in “a broader movement to enforce peace and put the entire world and the region on a clear path towards a just and lasting peace, without which no other solution will guarantee security and stability for Palestine, Israel and the entire region.”
Egypt’s Foreign Ministry expressed similar sentiments, calling in a statement on countries that have not yet made such a decision to “move forward in this direction in order to defend values, justice, equity and support the rights of the Palestinian people.”
Saudi Arabia and Qatar – Saudi Arabia and Qatar also supported the decision of European countries and called on world governments to follow the example of Spain, Norway and Ireland and “hurry” to recognize the Palestinian state.
In a statement, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs classified the decision taken by the three European countries as “positive”. The ministry also called on other countries, especially those that are permanent members of the UN Security Council, to “accelerate a similar decision that contributes to finding a credible and irreversible path” to a two-state solution.
The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs considered the recognition of Palestine as “an important step in support of the two-state solution and the achievement of peace and stability” in the Middle East. (With EFE Agency)
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