Norway on Tuesday began formally recognizing an independent Palestinian state, as Spain and Ireland were set to follow suit later in the day, despite staunch opposition from Israel. “Norway’s formal recognition of Palestine as a state will enter into force on Tuesday 28 May 2024,” the Norwegian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. “A number of other likeminded European countries will also formally recognise Palestine on that same date.” The three European countries had announced the move simultaneously last week, with their leaders saying they hoped other countries would join in the initiativ…