Spain Would Only Recognize Palestine State in Joint Action

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Facts

  • Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Friday that Spain would only recognize a Palestinian state as part of a joint action with other countries and denied rumors that it would happen on May 21.1
  • Sánchez will reportedly reveal the date for recognizing Palestine on Wednesday, telling a private TV station that his government was already coordinating the decision with other countries. He previously suggested that Slovenia and Ireland were among those interested.2
  • Sánchez's statement comes a day after Spain denied permission for a ship carrying arms to Israel to dock at one of its ports — the first time such a shipment was reportedly detected.3
  • The Danish-flagged ship was reportedly transporting 27 tonnes of explosive material from Chennai in southern India to the port of Haifa in Israel.3
  • Earlier this month, thousands of college students protested across campuses in Barcelona, Valencia, the Basque Country, and Madrid against Israel's war in Gaza.4
  • Also, Madrid's Reina Sofía Museum on Thursday said it had renamed its 'River to the Sea' program — which the Israeli embassy said perpetuated calls for the destruction of Israel — to the 'Critical Thinking Gatherings, International Solidarity With Palestine' program.5

Sources: 1reuters.com, 2arabnews.com, 3Guardian, 4Al Jazeera and 5timesofisrael.com.

Narratives

  • Pro-Israel narrative, as provided by Thinc Israel. A Palestinian state should only be recognized after a peace agreement with Israel is reached, which requires mutual recognition and compromise. UN member states should focus on fostering trust and respect between the parties rather than imposing outcomes. Prematurely recognizing Palestine undermines the efforts of UN members to promote the rule of law and the international legal order.
  • Pro-Palestine narrative, as provided by Washington Post. Although it's doubtful a Palestinian state would be viable in the face of Israel's ongoing military occupation, Spain seems ready to stand up for what's right. This decision makes perfect sense given Spain's historical and cultural ties to the Arab world and its commitment to humanitarianism. Governments across the West have expressed a desire for a two-state solution, but Spain is putting its money where its mouth is.

Predictions