Violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Palestinian Statehood Efforts

Violence is increasing in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, with Palestinians expressing concern about events in Gaza. Efforts to get Palestinians a state of their own have been ongoing.

European Governments Recognize Palestine as a State

Three left-wing European governments - Norway, Ireland, and Spain - are set to officially recognize Palestine as a state on May 28th, angering Israel. The move has been led by Spain and Ireland, with Norway joining in. Israel accuses the countries of rewarding terrorism by giving in to Hamas' demands.

United Nations Security Council Debate on Palestinian Statehood

The United Nations Security Council debated whether to admit the State of Palestine as a full voting member, but the U.S. vetoed the bid. The General Assembly may still approve Palestinian statehood. Support is broad outside the U.S. and its allies, but the U.S. maintains that statehood should come after a negotiated peace agreement. The conflict between Israel and Palestine has international implications and calls for a two-State solution.

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

The conflict between Israel and Palestinians dates back decades. There have been attempts at peace accords, but no agreement has been reached. The possibility of recognizing a Palestinian state before a final agreement is being discussed. The U.S. recognized Israel as a nation in 1948 shortly after it declared statehood. The recognition of a Palestinian state by the West could impact negotiations and give Palestinians more leverage. However, the current war in Gaza and longstanding regional issues complicate the situation.

Status of a Location

The status of the location gives it some local powers, deprives it of others, and leaves it short of statehood rights most residents desire.