Israel has blasted the move, which Madrid first announced last week
The Spanish government officially recognized Palestinian statehood during a meeting on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares has announced.
The diplomatic move comes at a time of intense fighting in Gaza, as Israel continues its ground operation in the border city of Rafah.
Madrid revealed its intention to recognize Palestine last week in a coordinated move with Norway and the Republic of Ireland. Israel has accused the three European nations of encouraging terrorism.
Earlier on Tuesday, speaking ahead of the formal recognition move, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stressed that the decision was not an attack on Israel, but a matter of historic justice, the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people, and a precondition for peace in the Middle East.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz has accused Spain of “being complicit in inciting genocide against Jews and war crimes” over its announcement. He said his government will not allow the Spanish consulate in Jerusalem to provide services to Palestinians.
READ MORE: Israel retaliates against EU state over ‘anti-Semitic’ remarks
On Monday, the Jewish state accused the Spanish government of using “inciting and anti-Semetic statements,” referring to officials using the slogan “from the river to the sea Palestine will be free”.
Norway and Ireland’s formal recognition of Palestine as a state also took effect on Tuesday.
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