ALBAWABA - Spanish government spokeswoman Pilar Alegria announced her country's official recognition of the State of Palestine.
In a vote agreed by its cabinet on Tuesday, Spain formally recognized the state of Palestine, after similar actions taken by Norway and Ireland, according to a government spokesperson.
The government "adopted an important decision to recognize a Palestinian state," according to Alegria, with the goal of "helping Israelis and Palestinians achieve peace".
Earlier in May, several EU countries announced their intention to officially recognize the State of Palestine, asserting the rights of Palestinians in their own land.
On May 6, Taoiseach Simon Harris spoke with his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez, in what a government official described as "a good and thorough call" about the "grave situation in the Middle East".
Tanaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) Micheal Martin stated at a Green Party meeting that Ireland will intervene in the genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as soon as South Africa files its substantive case, which he expects to happen by October, according to the broadcaster.
Earlier in April, Palestinian envoy to the UN Riyad Mansour sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres requesting renewed consideration of its membership application.
The State of Palestine was admitted as an observer state to the UN General Assembly in 2012, allowing its envoy to participate in discussions and UN bodies but not vote.
The supporters' letter to the council president named 140 countries that have recognized Palestine as a state, including members of the United Nations' 22-nation Arab Group, the 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the 120-member Nonaligned Movement.
On September 23, 2011, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas presented the Palestinian Authority's application to become the 194th member of the United Nations to then-Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon before speaking to world leaders at the General Assembly.
