.IT IS ACTUALLY A measure to "bring unity to the Middle East", according to Simon Harris, Ireland's prime minister. On May 22nd his nation, together with Norway and also Spain, pointed out that it will officially identify Palestine as a state. Israel recalled its own emissaries coming from all three nations in action its international administrator put down the trio's decision as a "distorted step" and claimed it was actually evidence, following Hamas's assault on Israel on Oct 7th, that "violence pays for". Ireland, Norway and Spain are joining the majority of nations: almost three-quarters of members of the UN acknowledge Palestine. Exactly what carries out that mean-- and also who are the holdouts?