The Arab Council
Statement
Welcoming the Decision of Norway, Ireland, and Spain to Recognize the State of Palestine

The Arab Council expresses its strong welcome of the decision by Norway, Ireland, and Spain to recognize the State of Palestine. This decision is considered an important step in upholding the just rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them their right to self-determination on their land.

Furthermore, this decision represents a new international rebuke to the occupying state, which is currently involved in acts of ethnic cleansing in Gaza, following the recent action by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

This joint decision by three significant European Union countries coincides with the growing solidarity of youth and student movements with the Palestinian people across various European countries and the United States. It reaffirms that the Palestinian cause has become a symbol of freedom and human dignity and is in the process of building a bridge between various active forces in the world, transcending the clash of civilizations, races, and nationalities.

The Arab Council calls on the remaining EU countries and the countries of the world to follow the example of Spain, Norway, and Ireland in recognizing the independent and sovereign State of Palestine and to press for an end to the ongoing massacre that has been continuing for more than half a year. The Council also urges Arab peoples to intensify support demonstrations and exert pressure in all arenas.

The Arab Council
President Moncef Marzouki