Armenia Recognizes Palestinian State

Armenia officially recognized a Palestinian state on Friday in a move strongly condemned by Israel and welcomed by the Palestinian Authority.

In a statement announcing the recognition, the Armenian Foreign Ministry pointed to the “catastrophic humanitarian situation” in Gaza and Yerevan’s long-running support for a “two-state solution” to the Arab-Israeli conflict.

“We believe that this is the only way to ensure that Palestinians and Israelis can realize their legitimate aspirations,” read the statement. “Based on that and reaffirming its commitment to international law and the principles of equality, sovereignty and peaceful coexistence of peoples, the Republic of Armenia recognizes the State of Palestine.”

The Israeli Foreign Ministry was quick to condemn the move and summon the Armenian ambassador in Tel Aviv for what a ministry spokesperson described as a “harsh reprimand conversation.”

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the West Bank under Israeli military occupation, welcomed Yerevan’s decision.

"This recognition contributes positively to preserving the two-state solution, which faces systematic challenges, and promotes security, peace, and stability for all parties involved," the Authority's presidency said in a statement.

Dozens of mostly Middle Eastern, African and Asian countries have also recognized Palestine as a state. Four European countries -- Spain, Ireland, Norway and Slovenia -- followed suit late last month and early this.

Armenia twice voted late last year for United Nations General Assembly resolutions demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. It sent 30 tons of food and medicine to the Palestinian enclave in March.

Armenia’s relationship with Israel has been uneasy ever since the Jewish state became over a decade ago one of Azerbaijan’s main suppliers of weapons and other military hardware. Those supplies continued even during the 2020 war in Nagorno-Karabakh. Armenia recalled its ambassador to Israel in protest just days after its outbreak in September 2020.

Azerbaijani forces heavily used Israeli-made attack drones and multiple-launch rocket systems throughout the hostilities stopped by a Russian-brokered ceasefire in November 2020. Visiting Israel in March 2023, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov thanked the Israeli government for that support.

Azerbaijani-Israeli military cooperation appears to have continued unabated since the 2020 war. Nevertheless, Armenia sent a new ambassador to Israel in April 2022.