Recognition of Palestinian State by 3 European Countries May Encourage More, Says Palestinian PM

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohamed Mustafa attends a press conference with Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation Jose Manuel Albares (not pictured) after their meeting in Brussels Belgium 26 May 2024. (EPA)
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohamed Mustafa attends a press conference with Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation Jose Manuel Albares (not pictured) after their meeting in Brussels Belgium 26 May 2024. (EPA)
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Recognition of Palestinian State by 3 European Countries May Encourage More, Says Palestinian PM

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohamed Mustafa attends a press conference with Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation Jose Manuel Albares (not pictured) after their meeting in Brussels Belgium 26 May 2024. (EPA)
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohamed Mustafa attends a press conference with Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation Jose Manuel Albares (not pictured) after their meeting in Brussels Belgium 26 May 2024. (EPA)

The prime minister of the Palestinian Authority expressed hope on Sunday that Spain, Ireland and Norway's recognition of a Palestinian state would encourage other European countries to do the same.

Mohammad Mustafa, in Brussels to attend a meeting with international donors, said he was grateful that the three had effectively joined 143 other countries that backed a Palestinian bid to become a full United Nations members in a resolution earlier in May.

"We obviously want to have every country in Europe do the same," he told a news conference in Brussels with Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares.

"So this is again hopefully a source of encouragement for these countries to take the necessary courageous step."

The Middle East conflict has exposed diverging views in the European Union. Some EU diplomats have said it is not the right time to recognize Palestinian statehood.

Mustafa said recognition now was vital to keep the peace process alive.

Spain's Albares said other European countries were thinking about it, including Slovenia that had started the process.

Spain, Ireland and Norway said they will formally recognize a Palestinian state on Tuesday to help secure a halt to Israel's Gaza offensive after the Hamas attack on Oct. 7 and revive peace talks that stalled a decade ago.

Israel has called plans for recognition of a Palestinian state a "prize for terrorism".

Mustafa said he would spell out to international partners three priorities for his authority - supporting the people of Gaza, including by restoring basic services, building the institutions of a state and stabilizing the financial situation.



US Says it Destroyed 7 Houthi Drones, Ground Control Station

A Tomahawk land attack missile (TLAM) is launched from the US Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Gravely against what the US military describe as Houthi targets in Yemen, February 3, 2024. US Central Command/Handout via REUTERS
A Tomahawk land attack missile (TLAM) is launched from the US Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Gravely against what the US military describe as Houthi targets in Yemen, February 3, 2024. US Central Command/Handout via REUTERS
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US Says it Destroyed 7 Houthi Drones, Ground Control Station

A Tomahawk land attack missile (TLAM) is launched from the US Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Gravely against what the US military describe as Houthi targets in Yemen, February 3, 2024. US Central Command/Handout via REUTERS
A Tomahawk land attack missile (TLAM) is launched from the US Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Gravely against what the US military describe as Houthi targets in Yemen, February 3, 2024. US Central Command/Handout via REUTERS

American forces have destroyed seven drones and a control station vehicle in Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen over the past 24 hours, the US military said Friday.

The strikes were carried out because the drones and the vehicle “presented an imminent threat to US coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region,” the US Central Command said in a statement on X.

“These actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure,” CENTCOM added.

The “continued malign and reckless behavior by the Iranian-backed Houthis threatens regional stability and endangers the lives of mariners across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.”