A majority of European countries now recognise the State of Palestine, following official declarations in New York on Monday by France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta and others, after nearly two years of war in Gaza. Here is an overview of diplomatic recognition of the state, which was unilaterally proclaimed by the Palestinian leadership in exile in 1988. Of the territory claimed by the state, Israel currently occupies the West Bank and the Gaza Strip is largely in ruins. | Oman Observer