What recognising Palestine as a state could achieve as war shows no sign of slowing

Recognising a Palestinian state is both symbolic and practical, according to Dr Julie Norman, associate professor in politics and international relations at UCL, and senior associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi). “On the one hand it’s a symbolic gesture that shows concern and solidarity with Palestinians in the context of the Gaza War,” she said, but many also hope that recognising Palestinian statehood could also influence the decades-long conflict – and help deliver a peaceful resolution.