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Editorial

Recognition of Palestinian state

We hail announcements by three European countries


Bangladeshpost
Published : 29 May 2024 09:30 PM

We welcome a decision by Ireland, Norway and Spain to recognise a Palestinian state. Formal recognition of Palestine as a state by the three European countries entered into force on Tuesday (May 28). A state of Palestine had earlier been recognised by six other European countries -- Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Romania.

 We also hail the announcements by the three European countries as “positive.” Israel’s war in Gaza since the October 7 attack has revived a global push for Palestinians to be given a state of their own. Norway, Spain and Ireland on Tuesday became the latest countries to recognise a state of Palestine, breaking with the long-held view of Western powers that Palestinians can only gain statehood as part of a negotiated peace with Israel.

Their move, which has infuriated Israel, brings to 145 out of the 193 UN member states that have recognised a Palestinian state. They include many Middle Eastern, African and Asian countries, but not the United States, Canada, most of Western Europe, Australia, Japan or South Korea. In April, the United States used its veto at the UN Security Council to prevent a Palestinian bid to become a full UN member state.

Norway, Spain and Ireland

 on Tuesday became 

the latest countries to recognise 

a state of Palestine

On November 15, 1988, during the first Palestinian intifada, or uprising, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat unilaterally proclaimed an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. He made the announcement in Algiers, at a meeting of the exiled Palestinian National Council, which adopted the two-state solution as a goal, with independent Israeli and Palestinian states existing side-by-side.

Minutes later, Algeria became the first country to officially recognise an independent Palestinian state. Bangladesh is one of the 145 countries to recognize Palestine as a state since the Palestinian Declaration of Independence on November 15, 1988. 

At least 36,096 Palestinians have been killed and 81,136 wounded in Israel's war on Gaza since October 7. We also strongly condemn Israel continuous strike as the people met the tragic end of their lives while rushing for food.  

We believe the rest 48 countries including United States, Canada, most of Western Europe, Australia, Japan or South Korea will soon recognise Palestinian statehood. The world has been witnessing the war ---firstly the Russia-Ukraine war and now Israeli attack on the Palestine. They (world leaders) should take immediate step to ‘stop this tragedy immediately’.