SPAIN, Norway and Ireland formally recognised a Palestinian state today in a co-ordinated effort by the three western European nations to add international pressure on Israel to halt its brutal invasion of Gaza.

In a televised speech Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said: “This is a historic decision that has a single goal, and that is to help Israelis and Palestinians achieve peace.” 

The comments drew condemnation from Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz who accused Spain of “being complicit in inciting genocide against Jews and war crimes.”

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said the decision was “a milestone in the relationship between Norway and Palestine.”

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said: “This is an important moment and I think it sends a signal to the world that there are practical actions you can take as a country to help keep the hope and destination of a two-state solution alive at a time when others are trying to sadly bomb it into oblivion.”