More than three-quarters of the 193 members of the U.N. General Assembly already independently recognise a Palestinian state. But the opposition of the U.S., with its veto power on the U.N. Security Council, means the U.N. cannot admit Palestine as a full member - a move that would effectively recognise a Palestinian state at global level.

The United Kingdom plans to recognize a Palestinian state in September unless Israel commits to peace in the Gaza Strip and to stopping the annexation of the West Bank.