Unlike the European trend, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Norway, Slovenia, and Scotland supported the Palestinian position during the aggression on Gaza. South Africa and several Latin American countries also stood firmly and resolutely against the Israeli aggression.

While the majority of countries around the world and most Western nations have turned a blind eye to the crimes of the Israeli occupation and the genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza, following the "Al-Aqsa Flood" operation carried out by resistance factions against settlements surrounding Gaza, several European, Latin American, and African countries have stood firmly and resolutely in support of the Palestinians in Gaza and the Palestinian state against the Israeli killing machine.

Ireland, Norway, and Spain

Amid the genocide war on Gaza, Ireland, Norway, and Spain announced their recognition of the State of Palestine on May 28, 2024. This move provoked the anger of "Israel," which subsequently ordered an immediate recall of its ambassadors from the three countries. In a precedent within Europe, the Irish Parliament enacted a law that considers the "Israeli" settlements in Palestinian territories as an illegal de facto annexation, a law that garnered consensus among the parties of the Republic of Ireland, in addition to condemning the displacement of Palestinian residents.

Spain and Ireland have long supported the Palestinian cause for many years. With the escalation of aggression and the rising death toll in the Gaza Strip due to the "Israeli" attack aimed at eradicating the "Hamas" movement, global calls have been made for a ceasefire and to reach a lasting solution that achieves peace in the region.

The Irish support for Palestine

While the world stood silent in the face of genocide and war crimes in Gaza, Ireland stood against the war of extermination in Gaza and clearly condemned the "Israeli" crimes. This is not new for Ireland; in 1980, Ireland was the first EU member state to officially call for the establishment of a Palestinian state.

A few days ago, Irish Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris announced a support of 20 million euros from Ireland to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to support its work in providing assistance in Gaza, the West Bank, and to Palestinian refugees throughout the Middle East, following U.S. President Donald Trump's signing of an executive order to stop funding for UNRWA.

Scottish support.

The situation is not much different in Scotland, where there is broad popular and political support for the Palestinians under the leadership of the Scottish National Party. Scotland sees Palestine as a repetition of its own journey for independence and the right to self-determination. Additionally, the Irish influence on Scotland is evident, as there is a large portion of the population in Scotland that has Irish roots, which includes the group that emigrated during the war and has the ability to influence public discourse.

Closure of "Israel" embassy in Dublin.

In response to strong Irish support for the Palestinian cause, "Tel Aviv" decided to close its embassy in Dublin in light of what it described as "the extreme policies against 'Israel' pursued by the Irish government." Irish Prime Minister Harris stated that "Israel" will not be able to silence his country for criticizing its war against the Palestinian people in Gaza, and he characterized the decision to close the 'Israeli' embassy as "diplomatic distraction."

Spanish support.

As for Spain, it has clearly and openly taken a position supporting Palestine and its people against the crimes committed by the occupation against them. While the majority of European countries not only turn a blind eye to the crimes of the occupation but also justify these crimes, attempting to legitimize its aggression against Gaza under the pretext of supporting Israel's right to defend itself, this is the blind support these countries provide to the occupation and its leaders.

However, on the contrary, Spain has taken a different stance that supports the Palestinian cause, rejects the brutal Israeli aggression, and acknowledges that peace in the Middle East can only be achieved through the establishment of a Palestinian state.

The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on February 19, 2024, that it will impose sanctions on "Israeli" settlers if Europe does not reach an agreement on this matter. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares stated that his country will unilaterally impose sanctions on "Israeli" settlers who engage in violence in the West Bank if the member states of the European Union do not come to an agreement on this issue.

The Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez wrote on his account on the "X" platform: "The European Union's commitment to human rights and dignity cannot have exceptions. Given the critical situation in Rafah, Ireland and Spain requested the European Commission to conduct an urgent review of whether 'Israel' is complying with its obligations to respect human rights in Gaza.

Spain supports "UNRWA"

While many countries have abandoned their financial support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Spain announced on February 5, 2024, that it intends to send additional assistance amounting to 3.5 million euros to UNRWA.

In November of last year, the Spanish government rejected the docking of two ships coming from New York in the port of Algeciras in southern Spain. Spain also dealt a new blow to "Israel" and its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by recognizing Palestine as a state. Additionally, it joined the genocide case filed by South Africa before the International Court of Justice against "Israel's" criminal actions in the Gaza Strip, becoming the second European country after Ireland to do so.

Slovenia's position.

Slovenia also had a distinguished position, as its government recognized the State of Palestine in May 2024, becoming the fourth European country to recognize the Palestinian state, while European countries like Germany insisted on not recognizing it unilaterally.

Recently, the Slovenian government considered the proposals regarding the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, as well as the unilateral redevelopment of the area, unacceptable. Such proposals constitute a blatant violation of international law.

The Slovenian government confirmed in a statement published by the Slovenian Foreign Ministry on the platform "X" that the claim that Jordan or Egypt should accommodate the residents of Gaza overlooks the sovereign rights of these countries and the fundamental principles of refugee protection. It warned that such proposals risk destabilizing the entire Middle East, exacerbating regional tensions, and undermining the security of Jordan and Egypt.

South Africa... and the International Courts

South Africa was also one of the first countries to stand against the "Israeli" aggression on Gaza. On December 29, 2023, it submitted an official request to the International Court of Justice, accusing "Israel" of committing acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip following the outbreak of the war, which resulted in the deaths of thousands and the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.

In February, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to halt financial aid to South Africa due to its policy regarding the Palestinian territories and the case of genocide it raised against "Israel," Washington's ally.

Colombia... and severing relations

Despite the distance between occupied Palestine and Colombia, Colombia severed its diplomatic relations with "Israel" last May in response to the "Israeli" violations in the Gaza Strip.

Colombia had suspended coal exports to "Israel" despite suffering a loss of $450 million. Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced that his country had banned coal exports to "Israel," commenting on the decision in a tweet on the platform "X," saying: "Israel" uses Colombian coal to make bombs that kill Palestinian children!

Brazil... and the withdrawal of the ambassador

Brazil withdrew its ambassador to "Israel" in February 2024 after a period of tension regarding the brutal war on Gaza. Brazilian President Lula da Silva had accused Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu of killing innocent people in Gaza and Lebanon as a means of maintaining his hold on power, according to the Brazilian newspaper "O Globo."

Chile, Mexico, Ecuador, and Venezuela... and their joining the lawsuit

Chile did not remain silent about the crimes of the occupation, as its president Gabriel Boric announced its joining South Africa in its lawsuit against "Israel" before the International Court of Justice. In a speech delivered before the Congress of his country about the catastrophic humanitarian situation experienced by the people of Gaza, he stated: "We have decided to join the lawsuit that South Africa submitted to the International Court of Justice under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide

Mexico has also joined South Africa's lawsuit, as it has submitted a request to the International Court of Justice to join the genocide case brought by South Africa in light of the aggression in the Gaza Strip, concerning the violation of the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide of 1948.

The positions of the Republic of Ecuador have also supported the Palestinian cause in international forums, especially its voting on international resolutions related to the ceasefire and Palestine's full membership in the United Nations. In addition, demonstrations have been organized in support of Gaza and condemning the barbaric aggression against the Gaza Strip.

Venezuela did not remain silent on the "Israeli" crimes. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro criticized Israel's impunity despite its ongoing aggression against Gaza and Lebanon in his speech during the BRICS leaders' summit held in Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, part of the Russian Federation.

In March 2024, the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry announced that Caracas supports the Republic of South Africa's call to the international community to stop the genocide of the Palestinian people

Cuba... and the protests

In November 2023, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel led a demonstration that included tens of thousands of Cubans marching past the American embassy in Havana, in solidarity with the Palestinian people, accusing "Israel" of committing genocide in Gaza. This marked the first protest of its kind in over 10 years. In January 2025, Cuba joined the case filed by South Africa against "Israel" at the International Criminal Court.

All these honorable humanitarian stances of these countries, which are connected to Palestine solely through humanity, deserve all appreciation and thanks.

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