Belgium had just joined the UK, France and other countries in promising to recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations in New York. And Dr Zomlot was clear that this was a significant moment. "What you will see in New York might be the actual last attempt at implementing the two-state solution," he warned. "Let that not fail."

Weeks on, that has now come to pass. The UK, Canada and Australia, who are all traditionally strong allies of Israel, have finally taken this step. Sir Keir Starmer announced the UK's move in a video posted on social media. In it he said: "In the face of the growing horror in the Middle East, we are acting to keep alive the possibility of peace and of a two-state solution. "That means a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable Palestinian state - at the moment we have neither." More than 150 countries had previously recognised a Palestinian state but the addition of the UK and the other countries is seen by many as a significant moment. "Palestine has never been more powerful worldwide than it is now," says Xavier Abu Eid, a former Palestinian official. "The world is mobilised for Palestine." But there are complicated questions to answer, including what is Palestine and is there even a state to recognise? (BBC)