Spain and Norway formally recognize a Palestinian state as EU rift with Israel widens

By JOSEPH WILSON
Associated Press

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Spain and Norway have moved to formally recognize a Palestinian state with Ireland to follow suit on Tuesday in a coordinated effort by the three western European nations. While dozens of countries have recognized a Palestinian state, none of the major Western powers has done so. Relations between the EU and Israel have nosedived Monday with Madrid insisting that the EU should take measures against Israel for its continued deadly attacks in southern Gaza’s city of Rafah. Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz lashed out at Spain on X, saying Sánchez’s government was “being complicit in inciting genocide against Jews and war crimes.”