Norway, together with Spain and Ireland, will recognize Palestine as an independent state in the hope that it will bring peace with Israel, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has said.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Støre told reporters that Norway was a friend of both Israel and Palestine and that a two-state solution was in the interest of both countries.
He said: "In the middle of a war, with tens of thousands of dead and injured, we must keep alive the only thing that can provide a safe home for both Israelis and Palestinians: two states that can live in peace with each other.
“Israel is in a difficult security situation and has the right to defend itself under international law. At the same time, we believe that a two-state solution is in Israel's interest.
“We do not want a Hamas state, but one Palestinian state that comes from the Palestinian Authority.”
He added that the decision was in line with “the increasing number of UN states that have recognized Palestine as a state.”
Ireland and Spain also announced hat they would recognise a Palestinian state on May 28, saying they hoped other Western countries would follow suit.
EU members, Slovenia and Malta, have also indicated their plans to make the recognition.
The moves come following further Israeli attacks on the northern and southern edges of the Gaza Strip, which caused hundreds of thousands of people to flee.
The May assaults have also restricted the flow of aid, which in turn has increased the risk of famine.
He said: "In the middle of a war, with tens of thousands of dead and injured, we must keep alive the only thing that can provide a safe home for both Israelis and Palestinians: two states that can live in peace with each other.
“Israel is in a difficult security situation and has the right to defend itself under international law. At the same time, we believe that a two-state solution is in Israel's interest.
“We do not want a Hamas state, but one Palestinian state that comes from the Palestinian Authority.”
He added that the decision was in line with “the increasing number of UN states that have recognized Palestine as a state.”
Ireland and Spain also announced hat they would recognise a Palestinian state on May 28, saying they hoped other Western countries would follow suit.
EU members, Slovenia and Malta, have also indicated their plans to make the recognition.
The moves come following further Israeli attacks on the northern and southern edges of the Gaza Strip, which caused hundreds of thousands of people to flee.
The May assaults have also restricted the flow of aid, which in turn has increased the risk of famine.
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