30 Years of Pursuing Palestinian Statehood: Key Milestones and Growing International Recognition
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In 1988, Arafat unilaterally proclaimed an independent Palestinian state; Algeria and dozens of other countries recognized it soon after.
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In 2011, Palestinians pushed for full UN membership for the "state of Palestine" but failed; however, UNESCO voted to accept them as a member.
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In 2012, the UN General Assembly voted to upgrade Palestine's status to "non-member observer state."
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In 2014, Sweden became the first EU member in Western Europe to recognize a Palestinian state.
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In 2024, the leaders of Ireland, Malta, Slovenia, and Spain expressed readiness to recognize Palestine when the time is right.