Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Jose Manuel Albares (L) speaks during a meeting with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa (R) at the Permanent Representation of Spain to the European Union in Brussels, on May 26, 2024. (Photo by AFP)

Brussels, May 27 (RHC)-- Spain's Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares has hailed Madrid’s decision to formally recognize a Palestinian state, saying the move “is justice for the Palestinian people and the best guarantee of security for Israel.”

Albares made the remarks during a meeting with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa in the Belgian capital Brussels on Sunday, who is scheduled to meet with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide later in the day.  “We want to have every country in Europe to do the same,” Albares said, as he welcomed the move.

Mustafa, for his part, said recognition of a Palestinian state addresses “the injustice that has been inflicted on the Palestinian people for decades.  He also expressed hope that “this momentum of recognitions and initiatives will continue.”

The latest development came a day after Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles called a “real genocide” Israel’s war on the besieged Gaza Strip.

On Wednesday, Ireland, Norway and Spain formally recognized the Palestinian state.  The recognition will come into force on Tuesday, May 28th.

In reaction, Israeli authorities ordered the regime’s ambassadors from Ireland and Norway to immediately return, and said they would do the same for Spain.  Israel also warned Spain, Norway and Ireland that its ties will them will face “serious consequences” following their recognition of a Palestinian state.

Most countries in the world already recognize Palestinian statehood.

Prior to the Wednesday announcement, more than 140 out of 193 member states of the United Nations had made their recognition official.

In the past weeks, several other European countries indicated a plan to recognize a Palestinian state, saying the move is essential for lasting peace in the region.  The planned recognition will add pressure on Israel as its bloodiest-ever military campaign in Gaza is in its eighth month now.

Since the start of the aggression on October 7, the Israeli regime has been committing war crimes in Gaza, killing at least 35,903 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injuring some 80, 420 others.