Palestinian state is still a long way off, even with the increasing calls for it from the international community.

On May 25, crowds gathered for a pro-Palestinian rally in Paris, France. Hans Lucas/AFP/Getty Images captured the moment. First, it was France, then the United Kingdom, and now Canada stepping up to the plate. These three influential Western nations are throwing their weight behind the call for a Palestinian state, a concept that has already found support from over 140 other countries. The motivations behind these moves are varied—ranging from frustration with Israel to domestic pressures and outrage over the heartbreaking images of starving Palestinians. Regardless of the reasons, Palestinians are seeing these announcements as a significant boost for their cause. In contrast, the Israeli government has dismissed these calls, claiming they essentially reward terrorism. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump appears to be growing increasingly frustrated with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, especially regarding the dire situation in Gaza, which Netanyahu denies but has clearly troubled Trump. Trump is eager for regional peace and the accolades that come with it—specifically, a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts. He’s pushing for Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel, hoping to expand the Abraham Accords he established during his first term with several Arab states. However, Riyadh has made it clear that this can only happen with a solid commitment to a Palestinian state. The recent actions by US allies France, Britain, and Canada—while largely symbolic—have left Washington feeling more isolated in its support for Israel. Establishing Palestinian statehood could be a crucial step toward ending a conflict that has claimed over 60,000 Palestinian lives in Gaza since Hamas's brutal attack on October 7, which resulted in around 1,200 deaths in Israel nearly two years ago. It could also pave the way for the return of hostages still held in Gaza. Yet, one of the biggest hurdles is envisioning what a modern Palestinian state would look like, especially since such a state has never existed before. When Israel was established in the wake of World War II, it quickly gained international recognition.

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