.IT IS A step to "carry love halfway East", according to Simon Harris, Ireland's head of state. On May 22nd his country, together with Norway and Spain, stated that it would formally identify Palestine as a state. Israel recollected its emissaries coming from all three countries in action its own foreign official put down the trio's choice as a "distorted action" and also said it was actually proof, back Hamas's attack on Israel on Oct 7th, that "violence pays out". Ireland, Norway as well as Spain are signing up with the majority of countries: almost three-quarters of participants of the UN identify Palestine. What exactly does that mean-- and who are actually the holdouts?