A group of United Nations experts has called for all countries to recognise a Palestinian state to ensure peace in the Middle East.
The call came less than a week after Ireland, Spain, and Norway officially recognised a Palestinian state, prompting anger from Israel, which has found itself increasingly isolated after nearly eight months of war in Gaza.
The experts, including the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Palestinian territories, said recognition of a Palestinian state was an important acknowledgement of the rights of the Palestinian people and their struggle towards freedom and independence.
“This is a pre-condition for lasting peace in Palestine and the entire Middle East – beginning with the immediate declaration of a ceasefire in Gaza and no further military incursions into Rafah,” they said.
“A two-state solution remains the only internationally agreed path to peace and security for both Palestine and Israel and a way out of generational cycles of violence and resentment.”
With their recognition of a Palestinian state, Ireland, Spain and Norway said they sought to accelerate efforts to secure a ceasefire in Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza.
The three countries say they hope their decision will spur other European Union states to follow suit.
Denmark’s parliament later rejected a proposal to recognise a Palestinian state.
Israel has repeatedly condemned moves to recognise a Palestinian state, saying they bolster Hamas, the militant Islamist group that led the deadly 7 October attack on Israel which sparked the Israeli offensive in Gaza.
The conflict has killed 36,479 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Israel says the 7 October attack, the worst in its 75-year history, killed 1,200 people, with more than 250 hostages taken.
