Saudi Arabia has thanked three European countries - Ireland, Norway and Spain - for recognizing Palestine as a state. During a visit to the Spanish capital Madrid on Wednesday, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan thanked the three countries, saying, "They are on the right side of history, on the side of justice."

Earlier, on Tuesday (May 28), the three Western European countries officially announced the recognition of the Palestinian state. Ireland, Norway and Spain said their decision had strong symbolic implications. Which will encourage others to make the same decision. However, Israel condemned the decision of the three countries. Tel Aviv said the decision by the three European countries in the middle of the war was a reward for Hamas.

The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, Turkey and the Palestinian Authority met in Madrid with Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Alvarez on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters later, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said, "We are here to thank Spain for giving us hope in a very dark time."

"We are here to thank Spain, Norway, Ireland and Slovenia for taking the right decision at the right time, standing on the right side of history and standing up for justice," he said.

Slovenia's government passed a decree this month recognizing Palestine as a state. This decree will be sent to the country's parliament next Thursday. Later, the parliament will vote on it. The decree is expected to become law soon with the consent of a majority of lawmakers there.

Arab ministers met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday before talks with Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Alvarez. Spain will continue to work for more European countries to recognize Palestine as a state, Albares said. He said, Spain will continue to work with our Arab partners and friends to normalize relations between Arab countries and Israel.

Palestinians stationed in Gaza are bleeding. And this bloodshed is reviving the Palestinian demand for a state of their own. The move by three European countries on Tuesday brought the number of countries recognizing Palestine as a state to 145 out of 193 UN member states.