Spain, Norway and Ireland recognised the state of Palestine.

Out front of the Irish Parliament, a Palestinian flag was flown to commemorate the ruling.

Recognising a Palestinian state officially is something that Norway, Spain and Ireland claim is an attempt to draw attention back to the political settlement of the Middle East conflict.

By acting in concert, they aim to inspire other European nations to do the same, launching a diplomatic campaign that may help bring about a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Hamas hostages.

The symbolic choice has sparked a heated dispute with the Israeli government which claims that all three nations are financially supporting terrorists.

Israel officially chastised the envoys of Ireland, Norway and Spain in Tel Aviv and withdrew its ambassadors from those countries. Last week all three of them were called to Israel's foreign ministry to watch media footage of the October 7 attacks.

The three nations recognition of Palestine also puts more diplomatic pressure on Israel in the wake of two international judges rulings accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of war crimes and demanding a stop to Israel Defence Forces (IDF) operations in southern Gaza.

Sanctions against Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory have also been tightened by Western nations.

While the procedure for diplomatic recognition differs from nation to nation, it often entails a formal exchange of credentials with the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority.

Representatives eventually develop into full-fledged ambassadors, while missions or consulates that are already operating in the West Bank or East Jerusalem become official embassies.

With Jerusalem serving as the capital of both Israel and Palestine all three nations declared their recognition of a state for the Palestinian people based on borders drawn before to the war in 1967.

The Irish parliament was under the Palestinian flag throughout the four hours that TDs dedicated to discussing the matter. Prior to the official decision was made in the Cabinet, Simon Harris, the Prime Minister of New Zealand described the action as "historic and significant."

He expressed his hope that other European nations would take the lead stating that they needed to exert all possible influence to promote a ceasefire.

During the measure's adoption, Mr. Harris told the assembly, "I hope it delivers the Palestinian people a feeling of hope that during this, their hardest period, Ireland is standing with them."

It is an indicator of our viewpoint that Palestine holds and should be allowed to justify the full rights of the state of Palestine such as independence, self-govern territorial sovereignty and protection as well as agreeing to Palestine's own rights guaranteed by international law.

It was a milestone for Norway-Palestine relations as Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide declared as Norway's official recognition took effect.

Prior to the Spanish cabinet meeting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that admitting Palestine would not just an issue of ancient justice and an important requirement if we are all working towards peace.

He emphasised that Spain was supporting Israel and against Hamas, which was against a two-state solution.

Spain seems to be the source of Israel's rage. Israel Katz, the country's foreign minister, shared a video on social media that features flamenco dancing and music with graphic pictures from the October 7 attack, along with the caption, "Hamas: thank you Spain."

The post was deemed scandalous and revolting by Spain. Similar videos regarding Norway and Ireland were posted by Mr. Katz.

The dispute intensified when Yolanda Díaz, the deputy prime minister of Spain made a controversial public appeal for Palestinians to be free from the river to the sea. Many Israelis saw this as an antisemitic statement that demands the complete fall of the state of Israel.

Mr. Katz retaliated on Tuesday by drawing comparisons between Ms. Díaz and Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei and Hamas commander Mohamed Sinwar in a post on X which was formerly Twitter. He warned Mr. Sánchez that you are taking part in the incitement towards genocide and criminal acts against the Jewish people if he did not fire his deputy.

Diplomats surmise that Israel's forceful response to Spain, Ireland and Norway served as a deterrent to other nations desiring to emulate them.

In recent months, Belgium, Malta and Slovenia have all said they would recognise Palestine as well. But in the run-up to elections it seems like Belgium's government has changed its mind.

In order to have a bigger influence Prime Minister Alexander De Croo stated that he wished to wait until Belgium could acknowledge Palestine alongside other important European countries. He declared Symbolism solves nothing.

The majority of nations - 139 total officially accept the existence of a Palestinian state.

A Palestinian quest for full UN membership which is only available to states was approved by 143 of 193 members of the UN general assembly on May 10.

Palestine presently holds a seat in the UN assembly but no voting rights due to its somewhat elevated observer status. Additionally, it is acknowledged by a number of international groups such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League.

There are currently only a few European nations that accept a Palestinian state. They include countries that embraced the viewpoint in 1988 such as Sweden and Cyprus as well as former Soviet Bloc nations like Hungary, Poland, Romania, Czechia, Slovakia, and Bulgaria.

However a lot of European nations along with the US claim that they will only accept the establishment of a Palestinian state if there is a long-lasting political solution to the Middle East's conflict.