.IT IS A step to "carry love to the Middle East", according to Simon Harris, Ireland's prime minister. On May 22nd his country, together with Norway and Spain, pointed out that it would formally recognise Palestine as a state. Israel remembered its emissaries coming from all three countries in feedback its foreign official punished the trio's decision as a "distorted action" as well as claimed it was actually proof, back Hamas's assault on Israel on Oct 7th, that "violence pays". Ireland, Norway as well as Spain are signing up with the majority of nations: practically three-quarters of members of the UN acknowledge Palestine. What exactly performs that mean-- as well as who are actually the holdouts?