Spain, Ireland and Norway formally recognized a Palestinian state on Tuesday, a step toward a long-held Palestinian aspiration that was fueled by international outrage over the civilian deaths and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip following Israels offensive.

The joint decision by two European Union countries plus Norway, a nation with a strong diplomatic tradition in peacemaking, may generate momentum for the recognition of a Palestinian state by other EU countries and could spur further steps at the United Nations, deepening Israels isolation.

Previously seven members of the 27-nation European Union officially recognized a Palestinian state. Five of them are former eastern bloc countries who announced recognition in 1988, as did Cyprus, before joining the bloc. Swedens recognition came in 2014.