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Israel's continuing war in Gaza has revived the international push to recognise Palestine as a separate state.
The Palestinian territories are currently occupied by Israel, which controls most of the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and is currently fighting a war against Hamas in Gaza.
While many countries have long-recognised Palestinian statehood, most in line with their support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, others including the US do not.
However, that balance now appears to be shifting.
On Wednesday, Spain, Norway and Ireland said they will officially recognise Palestine's statehood, effective from May 28.
Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said the move was the “only alternative” to war that offers a political solution “for Israelis and Palestinians alike”.
“Two states, living side by side, in peace and security,” he said.
He reiterated the popular notion that a Palestine state is a “prerequisite” for peace in the region.
Here is a breakdown of which countries recognise Palestinian statehood.
When was a Palestinian state first recognised?
In 1988, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat unilaterally declared a state of Palestine, with himself as President, nearly 25 years after the establishment of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation, which he chaired.
Mr Arafat adopted the Palestinian Declaration of Independence, which was written by Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish.
The declaration's significance lies in its definition of the borders of Palestine according to the British Mandate – which includes the whole of Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
That same year, 83 countries recognised Palestine's statehood.
These included most of the Arab world, including the UAE, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
The Soviet Union, China, India and Turkey were among the other major countries to recognise Palestine that year.
However, the US and most western countries refused to recognise Palestine.
Which European countries recognise Palestine?
Spain, Norway and Ireland are the latest European countries to recognise Palestinian statehood.
European countries have historically been allies of Israel and were early to recognise the foundation of the Israeli state.
Current EU members Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Czechia and Slovakia (as Czechoslovakia) recognised a Palestinian state in 1988, when they were part of the Soviet bloc. Cyprus also recognised Palestine that year.
Sweden was the first country to recognise a Palestinian state from within the EU in 2014.
Malta and Slovenia are seen as potential candidates to follow Spain, Norway and Ireland in recognising Palestine.
How many UN states recognise Palestine and Israel?
Statehood for Palestine at the UN would be a step up from its current status as a “non-member observer state”, which means it is currently only partially recognised as a state.
Most of the UN's member states have recognised Palestine as a full state.
This year, 143 out of the UN's 193 members voted in favour of Palestine's bid for full membership of the UN.
Israel is also only partially recognised by the states of the UN, but with a larger majority: more than 160 UN member states recognise Israel, giving it enough support to become a full member.
Which permanent members of the UN Security Council recognise Palestine?
The UNSC is split on recognising Palestinian statehood. China and Russia do, but the US, UK, and France do not.
Which G20 and G7 countries recognise Palestine?
Ten countries of the G20 recognise a Palestinian state. They are Argentina, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Turkey.
The remaining nine countries, as well as the EU, do not. These include all seven members of the G7: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and US.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
English Premiership semi-finals
Saracens 57
Wasps 33
Exeter Chiefs 36
Newcastle Falcons 5
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Emiratisation at work
Emiratisation was introduced in the UAE more than 10 years ago
It aims to boost the number of citizens in the workforce particularly in the private sector.
Growing the number of Emiratis in the workplace will help the UAE reduce dependence on overseas workers
The Cabinet in December last year, approved a national fund for Emirati jobseekers and guaranteed citizens working in the private sector a comparable pension
President Sheikh Khalifa has described Emiratisation as “a true measure for success”.
During the UAE’s 48th National Day, Sheikh Khalifa named education, entrepreneurship, Emiratisation and space travel among cornerstones of national development
More than 80 per cent of Emiratis work in the federal or local government as per 2017 statistics
The Emiratisation programme includes the creation of 20,000 new jobs for UAE citizens
UAE citizens will be given priority in managerial positions in the government sphere
The purpose is to raise the contribution of UAE nationals in the job market and create a diverse workforce of citizens
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
