AP/PTI Photo : PTIA growing number of Israel's traditional allies, including Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal, formally recognised a Palestinian state this week, with France soon following suit. A Historic ShiftThe coordinated recognitions on September 21 brought these nations in line with about 140 countries that already support Palestinian statehood. The US continues to signal it will veto any Palestinian bid for full UN membership, leaving the state with only "permanent observer status". For supporters, recognition keeps alive the hope of a two-state solution. As UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, "Without a two-state solution, there will be no peace in the Middle East."