House Democrat blasts Ireland, Spain, Norway recognition of Palestinian state as 'gift to Hamas'

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Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., on Wednesday blasted Ireland, Spain and Norway’s decision to recognize Palestinian statehood, arguing the move sent a "message to terrorists" that "abhorrent tactics work."

"I’ve long advocated for Palestinian self-determination and statehood, and will continue to do so," Phillips, who sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote on X.

"But Spain, Norway, and Ireland’s premature recognition of a state is a gift to Hamas and a message to terrorists around the world that abhorrent tactics work," he said. "Shameful."

Notably, Hamas celebrated Ireland, Spain and Norway's decision as a significant "turning point," according to a statement shared on X by the Palestinian news agency Quds News Network.

"Hamas welcomes the announcement of Norway, Ireland, and Spain recognizing the state of Palestine, considering it an important step towards solidifying our right to our land and establishing our independent Palestinian state with its capital in Jerusalem," the statement said. "We call on countries around the world to recognize our legitimate national rights and to support our people's struggle for liberation, independence, and an end to Zionist occupation of our land."

NORWAY, IRELAND, SPAIN RECOGNIZING INDEPENDENT PALESTINIAN STATE AS ISRAEL-HAMAS