Norway, Ireland and Spain announce that they will recognize an independent Palestinian state.
Until now, most Western countries have maintained that they will formally recognize the Palestinian state only at the end of a peace process with Israel.
More than seven months into Israel's devastating war on Gaza, Norway, Spain and the Republic of Ireland say they will wait no longer.
But the European Union is divided on the issue and bigger powers like France say the time is not right to recognize a Palestinian state.
And the US veto still holds back Palestine's bid to become a full member of the United Nations.
Will other European nations follow Norway, Ireland and Spain?
And what do the announcements mean for Palestine's efforts to become a full member of the United Nations?
Presenter: Cyril Vanier
Guests:
Yossi Beilin – Former Israeli cabinet minister
Julien Barnes-Dacey – Director of the Middle East and North Africa program at the European Council on Foreign Relations
Carne Ross – Founder of Independent Diplomat, a non-profit advisory group
