Brussels: Europe and the Arabs 
New countries in the European Union, namely Belgium, Malta and Slovenia, are preparing to take a decision to recognize the State of Palestine, following in the footsteps of previous countries in the unified European bloc that took a similar step, the most recent of whom are Norway, Spain and Ireland, which was welcomed globally and regionally, especially by the Palestinian leadership and the governments of the Arab countries. An advisor confirmed Palestinian President Dr. Mahmoud Al-Habbash said that the recognition of the State of Palestine by Spain, Ireland and Norway represents an important step and a political, diplomatic and legal victory that came after years of Palestinian effort and the perseverance exerted by the Palestinian leadership and the PLO to gain recognition.
Al-Habbash said - in an intervention to the Nile News Channel - “This decision confirms the credibility of the Palestinian narrative and its progress at the international level, while on the other hand, the occupation’s hard-line narrative of aggression, which is based on the occupation and colonial outlook, declines,” expressing his hope that this step will be accompanied by other steps from European countries. Other countries around the world to revive opportunities for peace, implement and respect international legitimacy, and support justice, humanity, and democratic values in the world.
European reactions also continued to the decision of Spain, Norway, and Ireland to recognize the State of Palestine, while other countries indicated their intention to take similar action.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo announced - in a statement reported by the Associated Press - that his country is examining the issue of recognizing the State of Palestine in light of the announcement by Spain, Norway and Ireland of recognizing the State of Palestine, stressing that this decision must be taken at exactly the right time.
De Croo explained that the decision is made only once; Therefore, it must be issued at the appropriate moment when it has a direct positive impact, expressing his hope that the recognition decision will have positive effects that will contribute to ending the ongoing state of violence in Gaza, and liberating the hostages held inside the Strip.
He added: "The correct view of the situation for us is: Will this decision help stop the violence tomorrow or not?"
It is noteworthy that Belgium is going through a delicate phase in terms of its foreign policy, given its assumption of the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, and accordingly, any decision it takes during this period will have diplomatic consequences, according to what was reported by the Associated Press.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Malta expressed its country’s readiness to recognize the State of Palestine. “When such a decision has a positive contribution to ending the pending crisis in the region.”
The Malta Foreign Ministry indicated - in a statement - that the country's authorities are closely monitoring the current situation in the Middle East region in order to determine the "optimal time frame" for taking the decision to recognize the Palestinian state.
Slovenia also praised the recognition of the State of Palestine by Norway, Spain and Ireland. The Slovenian Prime Minister confirmed that his country was one of the first countries to sign the declaration to begin the process of recognizing the Palestinian state, stressing that the Palestinians need more support beyond recognition of their state.
Spain, Norway and Ireland announced - in a joint statement earlier yesterday - officially recognizing the State of Palestine.
It is noteworthy that 9 European Union member countries have previously recognized the State of Palestine: Bulgaria, Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Cyprus, Malta, and Sweden.