Austria warns:

Symbolic recognition will not help Palestinians

After the EU countries Spain and Ireland as well as the government of Norway announced on Wednesday that they would recognize an independent Palestinian state, there has now been a reaction from the Austrian Foreign Ministry ...

"A symbolic recognition at this point in time will not help the Palestinians", the Foreign Ministry announced. Nevertheless, Austria has been a "long-standing supporter" of a two-state solution.

"We are deeply convinced that this is the only option that allows Israelis and Palestinians to live peacefully side by side. Of course, this also requires the creation of an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state," it continued. However, further negotiations are required for a two-state solution. Austria is committed to a "sustainable solution".

Ireland, Spain and Norway have announced that they will formally recognize the Palestinian state on 28 May. Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris assumed that other European countries would follow suit.

Background
The war in the Gaza Strip was triggered by the major attack on Israel on 7 October by Hamas, which is classified as a terrorist organization by the EU and the USA. According to Israeli figures, the radical Islamic militants killed around 1170 people. A further 252 people were taken hostage in the Gaza Strip. 124 of them are still there, 37 of whom are dead according to the army.

In response, Israel has since taken massive military action in the Gaza Strip. According to the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health, which cannot be independently verified, more than 35,600 people have been killed.