The Palestinian people have the right to hope and the Israeli people have the right to security. That is the way to peace; the path to ending permanent violence and endless pain between peoples called to live together. Moreover, as we have seen since the events of October 7 and subsequent developments, the risk of regional escalation is more real than ever, with unforeseeable geopolitical, economic and humanitarian consequences.

To guarantee peaceSpain advocates the two-state solution. Making that solution irreversible will make peace in the region irreversible, and there is a way to achieve this: Recognize Palestine as a state and as a member of the United Nations.

The only way to break this spiral of violence in the Middle East is the two-state solution, which the entire international community supports. Now is the time to do it and Spain will do it on May 28. May the solution we all recognize – a State of Palestine living side by side with the State of Israel, in peace and security – become a reality. May peace between Israelis and Palestinians finally become a reality.

The establishment of the Palestinian state alongside that of Israel is undoubtedly one a matter of justice, but also the only option for peace. The Palestinian state must be viable and unite Gaza and the West Bank under the same Palestinian Authority, with a corridor between them, with access to the sea, and with its capital in East Jerusalem.

Spain has systematically cooperated with all parties involved in seeking a peaceful solution to the conflict. President Sánchez and I have visited the region several times since October 7. We have also had many discussions with various regional partners and urged the avoidance of escalation. Spain has been a pioneer in calling for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages and providing humanitarian aid to civilians in need.

So, We have decided to recognize the Palestinian state because there is a lot at stake: peace, justice, but above all hope and the future.

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Spain is going to recognize the Palestinian State because the Palestinians cannot be condemned as a refugee people, because this is the path to peace in the Middle East, because it is good for Israel's security.

The Palestinian people have the right to a future of hope, just as the Israeli people have the right to a future of peace and security. After so many decades of pain, we know that one cannot exist without the other: security in Israel and peace in the region are intertwined with the Palestinian people's hope for statehood. They are both entitled to it, the same right.

On November 18, 2014, the Spanish parliament urged the government to recognize the state of Palestine. Our decision is also deeply rooted in Spanish society. The recognition has been announced on several occasions and is an irreversible commitment by our government. Moreover, Spain has proposed to hold an International Peace Conference as soon as possible, with the aim of taking steps towards the materialization of this solution. The European Union has supported our proposal, as have the League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. More than 80 countries in total. We hope that this multilateral diplomacy will come into action contribute to opening a new page in the history of the Middle East: that of definitive peace.

The best way to protect and guarantee this two-state solution is to also admit the Palestinian state as a full member of the United Nations. This implies its recognition by all, as the vast majority of its members have already done, and as Spain is about to do.

We can't wait any longer. In May 1948, three years after the San Francisco Conference from which this organization emerged, the United Nations launched its first peacekeeping operation. The first in history. That first peace mission took place right in Palestine. 76 years have passed. There is no older problem that this organization has had to deal with. How long do we have to wait to solve it?

Hundreds of thousands of people – entire families, children – are currently deprived of food, water, medicine and shelter. How long do they have to wait? Hamas is holding more than a hundred hostages. How long will they and their families have to wait? Since that terrible October 7, violence has claimed the lives of 1,200 Israelis and more than 35,000 Palestinians. How many more innocent lives must be lost?

The Palestinian people must have their own state, and Israel's place and existence must also be recognized by all who have not already done so. It is justice for Palestine, it is the best guarantee of security for Israel, and it is the first and fundamental condition for a future of peace and prosperity in the region.

These are the values that the international community must support and defend. They are also the ones who lead Spain's efforts and what we defend for Palestine. For peace, for justice and for pure human dignity.

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