Meanwhile in Ireland, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris says the country will recognise a Palestinian state.

Image source, EVN

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is on his feet now, addressing parliament - you can watch (in Spanish) by pressing play at the top of the page.

He is expected to announce that Spain is also recognising Palestine as a state.

We will bring his comments to you shortly.

Image source, Reuters

After the news conference from Norway's PM, we've now got a written statement, saying "a lasting solution" is "only achieved through a two-state solution".

Palestinian people have "a fundamental, independent right to self-determination", and Israelis and Palestinians have "a right to live in peace in their respective states", the statement says.

The statement, external, quoting from prime minister Store, adds: "There will be no peace in the Middle East without a two-state solution. There can be no two-state solution without a Palestinian state.

"In other words, a Palestinian state is a prerequisite for achieving peace in the Middle East."

Norway's foreign minister minister has posted on X about the country's decision to "recognise Palestine as a state".

Espen Barth Eide says: "A two-state solution is the only viable pathway to peace for both Israel and Palestine."

He adds: "At this critical juncture, our recognition comes in support of the work towards a comprehensive plan for regional peace."

Israel says it is recalling its envoys to Ireland and Norway "for urgent consultations".

"I am sending Ireland and Norway a clear message: Israel will not back down against those who undermine its sovereignty and endanger its security," foreign minster Israel Katz says.

"Israel will not go over this in silence - there will be other serious consequences. If Spain realizes its intention to recognize a Palestinian state, a similar step will be taken against it."

Norway's move has not come out of the bluepublished at 07:52 British Summer Time 22 May

07:52 BST 22 May

Paul Kirby
Europe digital editor

Norway's move has been a long time coming and this morning's announcement by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store is in his words sending a message to other countries to follow suit.

We know that Spain and Ireland are set to do that too - and Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez visited Norway and Ireland last month in an attempt to co-ordinate such a move.

Norway has long supported a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians and mediated the highly secretive talks that led to the 1993 Oslo Accords that resulted in limited self-rule by the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and Gaza.

Last November, Norway's parliament, the Storting, voted to support a move calling on Jonas Gahr Store's centre-left government to “be prepared to recognise Palestine" as a state.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eid has spoken of the war in Gaza as a drama that has to be met with an "irreversible path towards a settlement".

But he has also said recognition of a Palestinian state is "not an outcome - it's a tool to help something to happen".

"We don't want a 'Hamas state'," he was quoted as saying last month, but a Palestinian state that comes from the Palestinian Authority.

Store says recognising Palestinian statehood will keep alive the only alterative to conflict: "Two states, living side-by-side, in peace and security."

He says the move sends a "strong" message to other countries to "follow" in the footsteps of Norway.

Store says Norway believes a two-state solution is in Israel's "best interests".

And he says Norway's move will take effect quickly - Oslo will recognise a Palestinian state by 28 May.

Store says the ongoing war in Gaza has made it "abundantly clear" that achieving peace and stability must be predicated on resolving the Palestinian question.

He says the goal is to achieve a state that is "politically cohesive" and derives from the Palestinian Authority.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store says the country will recognise a Palestinian state - confirming earlier reports.

Will bring you more quotes from Oslo very shortly.

At least 140 countries have recognised a Palestinian state, according to a recent letter to the UN.

That includes members of the 22-nation Arab Group at the United Nations, the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the 120-member Non-Aligned Movement.

The UK and the US are among nations that do not formally recognise a Palestinian state.

Earlier this year, foreign secretary Lord Cameron suggested that the government, alongside its allies, could “look at the issue of recognising a Palestinian state, including at the United Nations”.

Israel does not recognise Palestinian statehood and the current Israeli government opposes the creation of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza. It argues such a state would be a threat to Israel's existence.

The Palestinian population is divided between historic Palestine and a diaspora, mainly in neighbouring Arab countries.

Efforts to create a Palestinian state on the West Bank and Gaza have been frustrated by the continuing conflict with Israel.

Palestinians in the West Bank and eastern Jerusalem have lived under Israeli occupation since 1967. The settlements Israel has built in the West Bank are home to 500,000 people and are deemed to be illegal under international law - although Israel disputes this.

Palestinians have been striving for self-determination but have achieved only limited control over their affairs.

The Palestinian political leadership is deeply divided between the Fatah party in the West Bank and its Islamist militant Hamas opponents, who control the Gaza Strip and who are currently engaged in a war with Israel.

Read more about the Palestinian territories here.

Norway, Spain, and Ireland are yet to make their announcements. But Israel has already reacted.

In a post on X, , externalIsrael’s foreign ministry says recognising a Palestinian state “will lead to more terrorism, instability in the region and jeopardize any prospects for peace”.

"Don’t be a pawn in the hands of Hamas," it says.

"Progress can only be achieved through direct negotiations within a wider regional context."

Image source, EPA

In the next hour or so, we are expecting Norway, Ireland and Spain to announce plans to formally recognise Palestine as a state.

Countries supporting the creation of a Palestinian state believe it will help progress peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians.

But Israel says it will only increase instability.

Stay with us as we bring you all the latest news and analysis from around Europe and the world.