The move is largely symbolic – and it is not going to do anything to end the slaughter of Palestinians or ensure the basics of life are suddenly available in Gaza, or that Israel change any of its policies in regards to Palestine or Palestinians.

But there are some small changes that come with statehood.

One is better diplomatic representation. Instead of being an occupied territory, or having Palestinian ‘missions’ around the globe, countries can formalise their diplomatic relations with Palestine, with the nation able to open embassies. That goes two ways – nations could open embassies in Palestine (most likely the West Bank) and have a diplomatic presence that is separate to the Israeli presence.

It could also lead to countries reviewing their trade/agreements with Israel, again most likely with the settler colonies in the West Bank, where Israeli’s have forcibly displaced Palestinians from their home and land, with the backing of the Israeli government.

But until the UN Security Council says yes, Palestine won’t be granted full member status of the UN. And it’s consistently been the United States, mostly under the Biden administration, but continued under the Trump administration, which has vetoed the vote, even when their has been a majority.