GAZA STRIP: Although they couldn’t agree on its importance, Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank greeted Spain, Ireland, and Norway’s decision to recognize the state of Palestine on Wednesday.
In the southern Gaza city of Rafah, 46-year-old Palestinian Ismail Hassouna declared, “This is a wonderful step by a global conscience that had been in deep sleep about a cause that’s more than 77 years old.” Rami al-Rifi, a 27-year-old communications engineer from Gaza City, expressed his “joy” and stated that he believed the action was prompted by the Israeli attack in Gaza, which brought attention to the Palestinian cause globally.
Gazan exile Awni Khattab expressed his expectation that Palestinian territorial sovereignty will result from the acknowledgment.
“We hope that a Palestinian state will be established along the (June) 1967 borders and that this decision will be put into effect,” he stated. Still, Ahmad Ziad, 37, who was questioned in Rafah, was not persuaded. “If we don’t see such talk being implemented in real life, it’s just talk,” he stated.
The Palestine Liberation Organization executive committee secretary general, Hussein al-Sheikh, described the recognized actions as “historical moments in which the free world triumphs for truth and justice” in a statement on X.
a day of emotions
Political analyst Nour Odeh, who works in Ramallah, was likewise thrilled, hailing what she described as “an emotional day.”
Although “the majority of the world recognises Palestine,” she added, “the war pushed these countries to act.” According to the Palestinian Authority, 142 out of the 193 UN members have acknowledged the existence of a Palestinian state. Political analyst and writer Sari Orabi also brought up the Gaza conflict.
“It is evident that this acknowledgement is connected to the current conflict in the Gaza Strip, as well as the disclosure of Israeli disinformation and the perception of Israeli occupation,” the speaker stated.
For Odeh, the relocation is a concrete step toward a Palestinian nation. This is not an act of symbolism. Countries are making this legal pledge, she said.
The collaborative character of the project, she continued, “will push others now in Europe to take similar steps,” she expressed hope.
But Palestinian political expert Ines Abdul Razek was not as enthused as Odeh. She declared, “It is most definitely not the great victory move it claims to be.” “The decision does not alter our very concrete and accelerated erasure as a people; instead, it will set off a diplomatic ballet of preformative frictions.” The Palestine Institute for Public Democracy’s head, Abdul Razek, advocated instead for the expansion of Palestinian rights and “actual measures including sanctions and arms embargo” against Israel.
While there was optimism in the West Bank and Jerusalem, further concrete steps toward Palestinian autonomy were desired.
The de facto Palestinian capital, Ramallah, is home to Ayed Bornat, who expressed his gratitude for the recognition and asked other countries to do the same “so we can be the Palestinian state with holy Jerusalem as its capital.”
The decision was welcomed by the foreign ministry of Palestine. “By taking this important step, Spain, Norway, and Ireland have once again shown their unwavering commitment to the two-state solution and to providing the Palestinian people with the long-overdue justice they deserve,” the statement said.
