Unilateral Recognition of Palestinian Statehood Rewards Terror

May 22, 2024

Today, the Simon Wiesenthal Center criticized the decisions of Norway, Spain and Ireland to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state, saying that such a recognition rewards terror and diminishes the incentive for a Palestinian entity to cease its incitement of violence and recognize Israel.

Speaking of the decision, Rabbi Abraham Cooper, Associate Dean and Director of Global Social Action Agenda for SWC, said “Even the Palestinian Authority, which is considered by many observers to be ‘moderate’, glorified the massacres of October 7th, and continues to do so.  The Palestinian Authority continues to reward terror through its ‘Pay-to-slay’ law and has now been rewarded for recognition by Norway, Spain & Ireland, who have made no comment on this law. Further, these nations have made no demand that the PA stop the demonization of Jews in its school curricula that has inducted generations of children into a culture of death. Instead of bringing the parties to the negotiating table, these 3 members of the European Union have sent a signal that terrorism pays.”

For further information, please email Michele Alkin, Director of Global Communications at malkin@wiesenthal.com or Erik Simon at esimon@wiesenthal.com, join the Center on Facebook, or follow @simonwiesenthal for news updates sent directly to your Twitter feed. 

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is an international Jewish human rights organization. It holds consultative status at the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the OAS, and the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO).