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Spain and Ireland (and possibly other countries) prepare to recognize the Palestinian state - this recognition however amounts to recognition of the Palestinian Authority, which western governments treat as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. However, the Palestinian Authority is engaged in a bitter conflict with Hamas, the latter rejecting the international agreements made by PA in the name of the Palestinian people. Moreover, despite the PA anti-Israel rhetoric, it is potentially the main beneficiary from the war in Gaza, if Israel succeeds in removing Hamas and the US convinces Israel that Gaza should return to PA rule. Indeed, this is the current US position, and Spain and Ireland will be essentially recognizing PA as the only legitimate government in Gaza.

  • Has Hamas made statements about the impending recognition?
  • Have any pro-Palestinian groups opposed recognition of Palestine, as detrimental to the Palestinian struggle headed by Hamas?
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    Just a note for answers: Any answers should consider not just the statements Hamas makes in English, but especially the ones they make in Arabic. These are often not identical, and sometimes outright contradict each other.
    – Tom
    Commented May 23 at 14:03
  • Why don't you talk about Norway?
    – BCLC
    Commented May 24 at 10:14
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    @BCLC Spain and Ireland (and possibly other countries) - at the moment of writing it was expected that at least 5 countries would recognize Palestine, but Spain and Ireland were leading the charge.
    – Morisco
    Commented May 24 at 10:39

2 Answers 2

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Per the BBC, Hamas have just responded:

In a statement to AFP, Bassem Naim, a senior Hamas figure, says the "brave resistance" of the Palestinian people is behind the move.

"These successive recognitions are the direct result of this brave resistance and the legendary steadfastness of the Palestinian people," he says.

"We believe this will be a turning point in the international position on the Palestinian issue."

So it seems that Hamas approve of the recognition, despite the fact that they themselves are not the ones being recognised.

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    I wonder if they'll address the issue that the Palestine being recognized is not "from the river to the sea", but rather recognizes Israeli lands as well? But no surprise they talk it up as an achievement of theirs.
    – Italian Philosophers 4 Monica
    Commented May 22 at 17:45
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    @ItalianPhilosophers4Monica: given the statements from the 3 countries, it's not unreasonable to assume that without Oct7 and its aftermath, they might not have come out that strongly or right now. But most of the 'credit' goes to Netanyahu for the way he conducted the war/reprisals and lack of any vision beyond more occupation for the 'day after', it seems.
    – got trolled too much this week
    Commented May 22 at 21:43
  • @againstverylongusernames lack of any vision beyond more occupation for the 'day after', it seems - why say such nonsense? - not only has he a vision, but it differs from the one promoted by the US One may disagree with it in moral terms, but which vision is more realistic is far from a foregone conclusion.
    – Morisco
    Commented May 23 at 8:12
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    @Kphysics your comment is highly misleading - 2006 was 18 years ago. Hamas lost its legal legitimacy, since there were no elections after that, and, moreover, it engaged in an armed rebellion against the Palestinian Authority (internationally recognized Palestinian government). Furthermore, Hamas popularity has recently decreased due to the hardships that its brinkmanship brought to Palestinians. Also, Hamas accepts 1967 border as an intermediate solution, but it has never renounced its intention of 'liberating all Palestine' - see their 2017 covenant.
    – Morisco
    Commented May 23 at 11:35
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    And yeah, after Halevi, Gallant said the same thing.
    – got trolled too much this week
    Commented May 23 at 20:57
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Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the development and urged other countries to follow suit.

In a statement carried by the official Wafa news agency, he said the decision will enshrine “the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination” and support efforts to bring about a two-state solution with Israel.

Hamas welcomed the announcements as "an important step on the path to establishing our right to our land" and urged others to follow. The head of the Arab League called it “a courageous step” that puts the three European countries "on the right side of history in this conflict.”

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/ireland-recognizes-palestinian-state-norway-spain-israel-hamas-war-rcna153427

Unsurprisingly, Hamas welcomed the announcements as "an important step on the path to establishing our right to our land", and urged others to do the same.

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