Israel Withdraws Envoys As Ireland, Norway, Spain Formally Recognise Palestinian State

Israel has withdrawn its ambassadors from Ireland, Norway and Spain following the decision of the three countries to formally recognised a Palestinian state.

The trio claimed the move was an attempt to refocus attention on efforts to find a political solution to the war in the Middle East and hope that acting together they will encourage other European countries to follow suit, in a diplomatic push that could help secure a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages held by Hamas.

All three countries said they recognised a Palestinian state based on borders established before the war in 1967, with Jerusalem as the capital of both Israel and Palestine.

The symbolic decision has provoked a furious row with Israel’s government which has accused all three countries of rewarding terrorism.