These historic decisions bring to 156 the number of countries that currently recognize the Palestinian state. Since the creation of the State of Israel in 1948, various Palestinian political movements have made the establishment of an independent Palestinian state one of their main demands. In 1988, the unilateral declaration of independence by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) led 82 countries to officially recognize Palestine. The 156 countries that now recognize Palestine amount to more than three-quarters of the UN member states. The year each country recognized PalestineRead more Subscribers only In the West Bank, Israel shuts down any prospect of a Palestinian state