BRUSSELS: Ireland, Spain and several other European Union (EU) member countries are considering to recognize the Palestinian state on May 21, according to a report by the Irish national broadcaster.
RTE News revealed that diplomatic channels between Dublin, Madrid, Slovenia, and Malta have intensified, indicating a potential joint acknowledgment of Palestinian statehood.
Media reported that these deliberations follow discussions on advancing the Palestinian cause within the United Nations framework, with a crucial vote scheduled for May 10 at the UN General Assembly. The outcome of this vote could pave the way for Palestine to attain full membership in the UN, prompting proactive measures from EU nations.
Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin has affirmed Dublin’s commitment to supporting the Palestinian UN membership bid, expressing optimism regarding significant backing from Irish officials. This stance aligns with Ireland’s broader push for a peaceful resolution in the region, emphasizing the importance of a two-state solution for regional stability.
Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez emphasizes the imperative of coexistence between the State of Palestine and Israel for enduring peace and security. The joint efforts between Ireland and Spain underscore a collective European approach towards fostering peace in the Middle East.
However, consensus among EU member states regarding the timing of recognizing the Palestinian state remains elusive. While Ireland, Spain, Malta, and Slovenia have signaled their willingness to take initial steps towards recognition, broader alignment within the EU is yet to be achieved.
These developments come against the backdrop of mounting international pressure for a ceasefire in Gaza, where Palestinian civilian casualties continue to rise amidst Israeli airstrikes. Calls for a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have gained urgency, prompting renewed diplomatic efforts to address the root causes of the crisis.
Israel has voiced criticism against the recognition plans of the EU countries, arguing that such actions undermine the prospect of negotiating a peaceful resolution. Israeli officials contend that recognizing Palestine without bilateral negotiations rewards terrorism and undermines the principles of dialogue and diplomacy.
Meanwhile, smoke rose from strikes on Gaza’s overcrowded southern city of Rafah on Thursday after US President Joe Biden vowed to cut off artillery shells and other weapons supplied to Israel if a full-scale offensive into the city goes ahead.
It was the starkest warning yet from Israel’s main military provider over the civilian impact of its war against Palestinian group Palestinian militants.
According to media reports, harrowing scenes of destruction and fear prevailed in Rafah as tanks and jets targeted various parts of the city, home to 1.4 million Palestinian people seeking refuge from relentless Israeli bombardment. “Every minute you hear a rocket and you don’t know where it will land,” remarked a resident, Tarek Bahlul, reflecting the pervasive sense of dread.
Israel has already defied international objections by sending in tanks and conducting what it called “targeted raids” in the eastern area of Rafah. Despite Biden’s warning, Israel pressed forward with its military operations, which it described as “targeted raids”. This defiance of international pressure underscores the complex dynamics at play in the region.
In an interview with CNN on Wednesday, Biden warned he would stop some US weapons supplies to Israel if it pushed ahead with its long-threatened major Rafah ground offensive. He highlighted the humanitarian consequences of Israel’s actions. The decision to halt the delivery of bombs last week was cited as a response to the looming threat of further civilian casualties. Biden told CNN that, “If they go into Rafah, I’m not supplying the weapons that have been used… to deal with the cities.” He added: “We’re not gonna supply the weapons and the artillery shells that have been used.”
The war in Gaza erupted following Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7. Israel’s vow to crush the Palestinian resistance group has led to a devastating toll on Gaza’s population, prompting mass displacement and exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis.
Israel’s relentless bombardment campaign has killed at least 34,904 Palestinian people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry. The ministry on Thursday reported at least 60 more deaths over the previous 24 hours. Since Monday when Israel ordered residents of eastern Rafah to evacuate, the daily reported toll has been above 50, up from a peak of 33 earlier in May.
Meanwhile, pro-Palestinian protests have erupted globally, underscoring the widespread condemnation of Israel’s actions. The seizure of Rafah’s border crossing into Egypt further exacerbates the humanitarian plight, limiting aid access to the besieged territory.
Israel’s response to Biden’s warning has been defiant, with its ambassador to the United Nations labeling the statement as “very disappointing.” Questions loom over the effectiveness of the arms transfer halt, with analysts speculating on its operational impact.
The United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees, UNRWA, on Thursday said 80,000 people have fled Rafah since Monday, but “nowhere is safe”. On Tuesday Israel seized Rafah’s border crossing into Egypt, which has served as the main entry point for aid into besieged Gaza.
Meanwhile, the World Food Programme has warned of an impending famine in Gaza.
