Joseph Borrell: European Union Members will probably Recognize Palestinian State on May 21st

In a significant move, several European countries, including Spain and Ireland, are set to formally recognize a Palestinian state on May 21.

The announcement came from Joseph Borrell, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the European Union, who described the decision as a symbolic gesture expressing support for the existence of Palestine.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez had previously declared Spain's intention to recognize Palestine by July, further emphasizing the growing momentum behind this diplomatic initiative. The impending recognition underscores Europe's desire for the establishment of a Palestinian state.

The announcement coincides with an upcoming vote at the United Nations regarding the Palestinian Authority's request for full membership in the organization. Last month, the proposal to recognize a Palestinian state was vetoed by the United States in the UN Security Council, despite receiving support from 12 out of 15 member states, including France, China, and Russia. Notably, Great Britain and Switzerland abstained from voting.

The veto drew condemnation from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who criticized it as "unfair, unethical, and unjustified." Both Israel and the Biden administration had sought to thwart the proposal behind the scenes but were unsuccessful in preventing it from garnering majority support.

The forthcoming recognition by European Union members signals a significant diplomatic development and underscores the continued efforts to address the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the international stage.