Why is Israel angry some EU countries are recognising Palestine?
Al Jazeera
Israel has responded with sound and fury to Norway’s, Ireland’s and Spain’s decision.
Ireland, Norway and Spain will formally recognise Palestine as a state for the sake of “peace in the Middle East”.
Their announcement on Tuesday triggered warnings from Israel and threats of consequences not only for the European countries but also for the Palestinians living under Israeli occupation in the West Bank and those in the Gaza Strip.
But why is Israel so angry that these countries have decided to join much of the world in recognising Palestine?
Recognition fulfils a long-held Palestinian aim and places additional pressure upon the Western powers who have all committed to the two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict yet have done little to further it in the past few years.
It will have few practical effects on the lives of Palestinians in the West Bank, occupied East Jerusalem and Gaza, but it is crucial to secure more avenues to hold Israeli authorities accountable, Palestinian and international human rights organisations argue.
