The micro-state of San Marino, an enclave nation inside northern Italy, announced at the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Saturday that it has recognized the “State of Palestine.”

“San Marino officially recognizes the State of Palestine as a sovereign and independent state, within secure and internationally recognized borders, in line with the resolutions of the United Nations,” Foreign Secretary for Foreign and Political Affairs Luca Beccari said from the podium.

“Having a state is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. It is not, and can never be, a reward for Hamas,” he added.

Before the declaration, Beccari said, among other remarks on Israel and Gaza during his address to the General Assembly, that San Marino “condemns unequivocally the horrific terror attacks perpetrated by Hamas on 7 October and calls once again for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.”

The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Portugal announced last Sunday that they formally recognized the “State of Palestine.” Luxembourg, Belgium, Andorra, France, Malta and Monaco announced their recognition in the days that followed, during a high-level conference at the U.N.

New Zealand announced on Friday it will not join the growing roster of countries recognizing a Palestinian state. Meanwhile in Europe, the Croatian parliament rejected on Friday a motion to compel the government to recognize a Palestinian state within 15 days.

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