The White House emphasized Wednesday it believes a Palestinian state should be established through “direct negotiations” between the parties involved, pushing back on a move by Spain, Norway and Ireland to recognize a Palestinian state—a longstanding push that has gained traction amid the Israel-Hamas war.
FILE - Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez arrives for a EU Summit in Brussels, on March 21, 2024. ... [+]
In a statement to CNN, an unnamed National Security Council spokesperson said President Joe Biden is a “strong supporter of a two-state solution,” but argued a Palestinian state should not be recognized “through unilateral recognition,” and instead should be “realized through direct negotiations between the parties.”
The statement comes after Spain, Norway and Ireland announced they’d recognize a Palestinian state, with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez saying he hoped the move would spur other western countries “to follow this path,” according to Reuters.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.