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Ireland, Norway and Spain Join International Push to Recognize a Palestinian State. Spain, Ireland and Norway have all said they would officially recognize a Palestinian state on May 28, amid international concern over the ongoing war in Gaza. Associated Press reports that the decision may generate momentum for other EU countries to recognize a Palestinian state. Seven members of the 27-nation European alliance have already officially recognized a Palestinian state. 140 of the about 190 countries in the United Nations have also already recognized a Palestinian state. International pressure on Israel has been growing as the offensive in Gaza has now stretched into its eighth month. "This recognition is not against anyone, it is not against the Israeli people. It is an act in favor of peace, justice and moral consistency.", Pedro Sánchez, Spanish Prime Minister, On May 11, the U.N. General Assembly voted to grant new "rights and priveleges" to Palestine, a sign of growing support for a potential vote on full membership. "We used to think that recognition would come at the end of a process. Now we have realized that recognition should come as an impetus, as a strengthening of a process.", Espen Barth Eide, Norwegian Foreign Minister, via The Associated Press. AP reports that while dozens of countries have recognized a Palestinian state, all of the major Western powers have yet to do so. In response to the news, Israel recalled its ambassadors from Ireland, Norway and Spain, while rejecting any attempt to legitimize the Palestinians internationally. THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT