"The recognition of Palestine is currently a purely political signal that will further isolate Israel politically," Hans-Jakob Schindler, Senior Director at the Berlin-based think tank Counter Extremism Project, told our editorial team. "The recognition of Palestine is currently also about the Palestinian Authority gaining full membership of the United Nations - beyond its current observer status." However, only the UN Security Council can make a final decision on this. A vote to this effect is likely to fail due to a veto by the USA.