Vatican officially recognized the State of Palestine

In May 2015, the Vatican officially recognized the State of Palestine, marking a significant shift in its diplomatic stance. This decision followed the 2012 United Nations General Assembly vote that granted Palestine non-member observer state status. The Holy See's recognition aligns with a broader trend, as currently, 146 UN member states, representing approximately 75% of the global community, recognize the State of Palestine. While some countries do not formally recognize Palestine, they acknowledge the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. The PLO's executive committee functions as the governing body, operating under the authority of the Palestinian National Council (PNC). Furthermore, the PLO is a full member of several international organizations, including the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Union for the Mediterranean. Notably, Sweden took a pioneering step in 2013 by upgrading the status of the Palestinian representative office to a full embassy, becoming the first EU member state outside the former communist bloc to officially recognize the State of Palestine. This evolving recognition reflects the ongoing international dialogue surrounding Palestinian statehood and rights.