Photo: Collected
US President Joe Biden supports the creation of a Palestinian state only through direct negotiations, the White House said on Wednesday (22 May) after Norway, Spain and Ireland said they would recognize Palestine.
"The president is a strong supporter of a two-state solution and has been throughout his career," a White House National Security Council spokesperson said, as quoted by CNN. "He believes a Palestinian state should be realized through direct negotiations between the parties, not through unilateral recognition."
Earlier in the day, the Norwegian government announced the country's decision to recognize Palestine as a state. It was followed by announcement by Ireland and Spain that they will officially recognize the Palestinian statehood on May 28, the day Norway's decision goes into effect.
Shortly after the announcements, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz instructed the immediate recall of Israel's ambassadors to Ireland, Norway and Spain.
Palestinian authorities welcome the three countries' move, Wasel Abu Yousef, a member of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization.
Palestine until now has been recognized by nine EU member states. Eight countries — Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovakia — recognized it in 1988, before joining the EU, and Sweden in 2014. A total of 142 countries recognize Palestine as a state, globally.
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