Ramallah, May 23 (RHC)-- Arab counties have praised the decision by three European Union nations to formally recognize a Palestinian state.  

Ireland, Norway, and Spain announced Wednesday they had formally recognized the state of Palestine.  The recognition will come into force next Tuesday, May 28th.

Reacting to the news on Wednesday, Benjamin Netanyahu immediately recalled ambassadors to Oslo, Dublin and Madrid and ordered a “severe Démarche” to the three countries’ ambassadors in Tel Aviv.

And his staunch ally, President Joe Biden of the United States, said he opposed “unilateral recognition” of a Palestinian state, according to the White House.  Biden “believes a Palestinian state should be realized through direct negotiations between the parties.”

France also distanced itself from the trio, saying conditions were not right to officially recognize an independent state of Palestine.

But several Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt, welcomed the development and urged other countries to follow suit.  Riyadh called the recognition as a “positive decision” that "affirms the international consensus on the inherent right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.”  The kingdom also called “on the rest of the countries to quickly make the same decision.”

In a Wednesday statement, Egypt praised the announcement as a “welcome step.”  It said the move supports “international efforts to create a political horizon that can lead to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.”

Qatar similarly welcomed the announcement as an “important step in support of a two-state solution.”

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said in a statement carried by the official Wafa news agency that the recognition of an independent Palestinian state will enshrine “the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.”

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas also described the move as “an important step on the path to establishing our right to our land.”

The head of the Arab League called the decision “a courageous step” that puts the three European countries “on the right side of history in this conflict.”

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 the besieged Gaza Strip is in its eighth month now.

The barbarous regime has massacred more than 35,700 Palestinians, mostly women and children, in Gaza since early October.