Spain, Ireland, and Norway recognize Palestine as an independent state: a step towards regional peace.

In a significant step breaking with the policy maintained by the United States and most European countries, Spain, Ireland, and Norway announced on Wednesday that they will join the list of nations recognizing Palestine as an independent state. This move comes in a context of renewed tensions in the region, especially following the outbreak of war between Israel and the Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian Authority has highlighted that currently 142 out of the 193 UN member countries already recognize the Palestinian state, which was proclaimed by leaders in exile over 35 years ago. This international recognition has been increasing in recent years, with clear support from countries in various regions of the world. The announcement by Spain, Ireland, and Norway comes at a crucial moment, with the issue of Palestine and Israel once again at the center of the international agenda. The decision of these countries adds to that of other nations that have recognized Palestine, such as Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Colombia, Honduras, and El Salvador in Latin America. The initiative to recognize Palestine as an independent state has generated divisions and controversies internationally, especially with countries allied with Israel. The United States, which has used its veto power in the UN Security Council to block resolutions in favor of Palestine, has maintained a stance against the recognition of the Palestinian state. In this context, the unilateral proclamation of a Palestinian state by Yasser Arafat in 1988 during the first intifada has been a milestone in the struggle for international recognition of Palestine. Since then, various countries have joined this cause, with strong support from African, Soviet bloc, Asian, and Latin American nations. The path towards the recognition of Palestine as a state has been marked by advances and setbacks, with key moments such as Sweden's decision in 2014 to become the first European Union country to recognize Palestine. This decision paved the way for a new momentum in Europe, with countries like Spain, Ireland, and Norway now following in Sweden's footsteps. Amid this discussion, the question arises as to whether the recognition of Palestine as an independent state is a step towards peace in the region, or if instead it will deepen existing divisions. The international community continues to debate the role that different actors should play in seeking a just and lasting solution to the conflict between Palestine and Israel. In this context, the announcement by Spain, Ireland, and Norway to recognize Palestine as an independent state marks a new chapter in the long struggle for the self-determination of the Palestinian people and poses challenges and opportunities to advance towards sustainable peace in the region. The decision of these countries reflects the diversity of positions and approaches around one of the most complex and controversial issues in global geopolitics.