Explainer What would wider recognition of Palestine mean?

Britain, Canada and Australia all recognised a Palestinian state on Sept 21, with other countries expected to follow suit this week at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. What would that mean for the Palestinians and Israel?

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WHAT IS THE STATUS OF PALESTINIAN STATEHOOD NOW?

The Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) declared an independent Palestinian state in 1988, and most of the Global South quickly recognised it. Today, about 150 of the 193 UN member states have done so.

Israel’s main ally, the US, has long said it supports the goal of a Palestinian state, but only after the Palestinians agree with Israel on a two-state solution. Until recent weeks, the major European powers shared this position.

However, no such negotiations have been held since 2014, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has now said there will never be a Palestinian state.

A delegation representing the State of Palestine has observer status at the United Nations - but no voting rights. No matter how many countries recognise Palestinian independence, full UN membership would require approval by the Security Council, where Washington has a veto.

Palestinian diplomatic missions worldwide are controlled by the Palestinian Authority (PA), which is recognised internationally as representing the Palestinian people.

The PA, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, exercises limited self-rule in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank under agreements with Israel. It issues Palestinian passports and runs the Palestinian health and education systems.