"Norway has for more than three decades been one of the countries that has worked the most for a Palestinian state. Today, when Norway officially recognizes the state of Palestine, it is a historic day in the relations between Norway and Palestine," the Norwegian government said in a statement by Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, quoted by the EFE news agency. Norway announced last week that it would recognize Palestine as a state from today, joining Spain and Ireland. Days later, King Harald V, Norway's head of state, signed the resolution, which was formally delivered on Sunday in Brussels to Palestinian Prime Minister Mohamed Mustafa. The resolution came into effect today. "It was important to be able to hand over a formal letter in person to Prime Minister Mohamed Mustafa. He greatly appreciates Norway's commitment to Palestine and our work for a two-state solution [Israel and Palestine]. The recognition is a clear expression of support for moderate forces in both countries," reads today's statement by Espen Barth Eide. In the same text, the Norwegian minister said he was confident that the Palestinian National Authority would continue its difficult task of carrying out reforms to govern "both the West Bank and Gaza after a ceasefire." "It is regrettable that the Israeli government shows no signs of constructive engagement. The international community must increase its economic and political support for Palestine and continue to work for a two-state solution," added Espen Barth Eide. The Norwegian government did not hold any public event or ceremony today to mark the recognition of Palestine, apart from this statement by the foreign minister. The Norwegian parliament approved a resolution in November last year urging the government to recognize Palestine as soon as it could have "a positive effect on the peace process." The Norwegian opposition (right-wing) criticized the government's decision, considering that it did not happen at the right time. Israel also criticized Spain, Ireland, and Norway, arguing that these countries are sending a message to the Palestinians that "terrorism pays off," in reference to the Islamist group Hamas. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz even accused Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez of being "an accomplice to Jewish genocide" for recognizing the Palestinian state in a post today on the social network X. Spain approved the recognition of Palestine at a meeting of the Council of Ministers today, and the Irish government is expected to do the same. Norway, Spain, and Ireland have pledged to formally recognize Palestine as a state from today, joining more than 140 countries that have already done so worldwide at a time when Israel has been carrying out a military offensive in the Gaza Strip since October. The conflict was triggered by an attack on Israeli soil by the Islamist group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, on October 7, 2023, which caused about 1,200 deaths and two hundred hostages, according to Israeli authorities. Since then, Israel has launched an offensive in the Gaza Strip that has caused more than 36,000 deaths and a serious humanitarian crisis, according to Hamas, which has governed the Palestinian enclave since 2007. Also Read: Spain, Norway, and Ireland recognize the Palestinian state today (Portuguese version)