Norway, Ireland and Spain announce that they will recognize an independent Palestinian state.
Until now, most Western countries have said they will only formally recognize Palestinian statehood upon the conclusion of a peace process with Israel.
After more than seven months of Israel’s devastating war on Gaza, Norway, Spain and the Republic of Ireland say they will wait no longer.
But the European Union is divided on the issue and major powers like France believe that now is not the right time to recognize a Palestinian state.
And the US veto still hampers Palestine’s attempt to gain full UN membership.
Will other European nations follow Norway, Ireland and Spain?
And what do these announcements mean for Palestine’s efforts to become a full member of the United Nations?
Presenter: Cyrille Vanier
Guests:
Yossi Beilin – former Israeli minister
Julien Barnes-Dacey – Director of the Middle East and North Africa Program at the European Council on Foreign Relations
Carne Ross – Founder of Independent Diplomat, a non-profit advisory group
