The Norwegian Parliament adopted a proposal on Thursday requesting the government to prepare to recognize an independent Palestinian state, as this decision has a positive impact on advancing the peace process in the Middle East.

The text stated that the Norwegian Parliament "requests the government to be prepared to recognize Palestine as an independent state when such recognition can have a positive effect on the peace process, but without it being conditional on reaching a final peace agreement."

The text was adopted by a wide majority even though it was issued by the Labor and Center parties forming a minority government, but it benefited from the support of Conservative parliamentarians, the main opposition party, and other political parties. However, it will not be implemented immediately as it requires recognition of the State of Palestine upon resumption of the peace process.

The proposal came to preempt another initiative by a group of smaller parties calling for immediate recognition of the State of Palestine.

Also, the decision of the Norwegian Parliament comes amid increasing calls to revive the two-state solution to put an end to the bloody war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas since October 7.

Two Northern European countries recognize the State of Palestine: Iceland and Sweden, as well as other countries on the continent, such as Poland, the Czech Republic, and Romania.

Notably, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who was reappointed on Thursday for a second government term, committed "to working in Europe as well as in Spain for the recognition of the State of Palestine."