STORY: U.S. pushes back on recognition of Palestinian state by European nations
SHOOTING TIME: May 22, 2024
DATELINE: May 23, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:11
LOCATION: Washington D.C.
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JAKE SULLIVAN, U.S. National Security Advisor
2. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): JOE BIDEN, U.S. President
3. various of exterior of the White House

STORYLINE:

The U.S. government on Wednesday pushed back on the decision by Norway, Ireland and Spain to recognize the Palestinian state, saying that Palestinian statehood should not be realized through "unilateral recognition."

SOUNDBITE (English): JAKE SULLIVAN, U.S. National Security Advisor
"The U.S. position on this is clear. President Biden, as I just said, has been on the record supporting a two-state solution. He has been equally emphatic on the record that two-state solution should be brought about through direct negotiations through the parties, not through unilateral recognition. That's a principled position that we have held on a consistent basis. We'll communicate that to our partners around the world, and we'll see what unfolds."
   
In separate announcements Wednesday, the governments of Norway, Ireland and Spain said they will recognize the State of Palestine, moves that were welcomed by the Palestinian presidency. Israel, in its reaction, though, recalled its ambassadors to the three nations.
   
Biden said in remarks Sunday at the commencement ceremony of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, that his administration has been "working to make sure we finally get a two-state solution -- the only solution for two people to live in peace, security, and dignity."

SOUNDBITE (English): JOE BIDEN, U.S. President
"I'm working to make sure we finally get a two-state solution -- the only solution for two people(s) to live in peace, security, and dignity. This is one of the hardest, most complicated problems in the world. And there's nothing easy about it."
   
The Palestinians demand the establishment of an independent state alongside Israel with pre-1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its capital.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Washington D.C.
(XHTV)