We have been reporting that, according to media reports, Norway is likely to recognise Palestine as an independent state today.

Ireland and Spain are also likely to announce plans for the recognition of a Palestinian state.

So far, 143 of the 193 UN member states have recognised Palestine.

Currently, just eight of the 27 EU members – Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Sweden, and Cyprus – recognise Palestine as a state.

Of those, only Sweden recognised Palestine as a sovereign state in 2014.

• The EU does not recognise Palestine as a state despite multiple diplomatic efforts within the bloc.

All African states – excluding Cameroon and Eritrea – recognise Palestine as a state.

In mid-April, the US blocked a resolution at the UN Security Council that would have paved the way for full Palestinian membership of the world body.

Source: Al Jazeera