The Palestine Liberation Organization declared an independent Palestinian state in 1988, and most of the global South quickly recognised it. Israel’s main ally, the United States, has long said it will recognise a Palestinian state, but only after the Palestinians agree with Israel on a “two-state solution”. However, no such negotiations have been held since 2014, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has now said there will never be a Palestinian state. No matter how many countries recognise Palestinian independence, full U.N. membership would require approval by the Security Council, where Washington has a veto. Countries planning to recognise a Palestinian state have not said what difference that would make to their diplomatic representation.