Spain, Norway and Ireland recognize the Palestinian state, further isolating Israel
Spain, Norway and Ireland said Wednesday they will recognize an independent Palestinian state, dealing a diplomatic blow to Israel that shows the country's growing isolation on the world stage more than seven months after its devastating military offensive in the Gaza Strip.In closely coordinated announcements, the leaders of the three countries said Palestinian independence cannot wait for a negotiated peace deal with Israel's right-wing government, which largely opposes the two-state solution and is expanding settlements in the West Bank occupied by Israel and continues to bomb Gaza without overthrowing Hamas or bringing home all its hostages.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also frustrated world leaders - and two members of his war cabinet - with his refusal to esta...