Lithuanian advisor doubts that now is the best time to recognize Palestine

VILNIUS - Asta Skaisgiryte, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda's senior foreign policy advisor, doubts that now is the best time to recognize Palestinian statehood.

"I don't know if now is the right time to consider that. Why recognize the Palestinian state now? What has changed in that state? What has changed? What is new? Lithuania has not yet recognized Palestine and I don't think it could happen in the near future," Skaisgiryte told the Ziniu Radijas news radio on Tuesday.

Foreign media have recently reported that France has started pooling a coalition of European countries to recognize Palestine. The move comes amid mounting pressure on Israel to end its military action in the Gaza Strip.

Spain, Ireland and Norway recognized Palestinian statehood in the spring of 2024.

Supporters of recognition argue that it would help a diplomatic solution to the Palestinian conflict with Israel, but critics question the redrawing of borders during an active phase of war and argue that Palestine cannot be recognized as long as Gaza is ruled by Hamas.