What's happened
Spain, under the leadership of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, is spearheading efforts to recognise Palestine as a state by July. This move comes amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with Spain encouraging other European nations to follow suit.
Why it matters
Spain's initiative to recognise Palestine as a state carries significant geopolitical implications, potentially impacting the peace process in the Middle East. The move could signal a shift in European policy towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and may influence other nations to reconsider their stance on the issue.
What the papers say
Al Jazeera reports that Spain, Ireland, and Norway are moving closer to recognising Palestinian statehood, while The Times of Israel highlights Spain's criticism of Israel's response in the Gaza war. Additionally, France 24 covers Spain's call for the EU to review its relationship with Israel over the conflict.
How we got here
The push for recognising Palestine as a state stems from the prolonged conflict in Gaza, with Spain advocating for a two-state solution. Prime Minister Sanchez has been engaging with various European leaders to garner support for the recognition of Palestine, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive resolution to the crisis.
Common question
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Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón is a Spanish politician serving as Prime Minister of Spain since 2 June 2018. On 7 January 2020, Pedro Sanchez was confirmed by the Congress of Deputies as Prime Minister with a lead of just two votes, heading the first coa
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Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southwestern Europe with some pockets of territory across the Strait of Gibraltar and the Atlantic Ocean. Its continental European territory is situated on the Iberian Peninsula.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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Ireland is an island in the North Atlantic. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel, the Irish Sea, and St George's Channel.