The United Nations have voted by a more than two-thirds majority to recognize the state of Palestine.

The resolution upgrades Palestine to the status of “nonmenber observer state,” and is being called a “diplomatic defeat for the United States.”

Palestinians rejoiced upon learning the news, but their quest for independence still depends on a peace deal with Israel.

From the Associated Press:

Real independence, however, remains an elusive dream until the Palestinians negotiate a peace deal with the Israelis, who warned that the General Assembly action will only delay a lasting solution. Israel still controls the West Bank, east Jerusalem and access to Gaza, and it accused the Palestinians of bypassing negotiations with the campaign to upgrade their U.N. status.

The United States immediately criticized the historic vote. “Today’s unfortunate and counterproductive resolution places further obstacles in the path peace,” U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice said.

And U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called the vote “unfortunate” and “counterproductive.”

Read more at AP.org

Do you support the Palestinian quest for independence?

Will a peace deal ever be reached between Palestinians and Israelis?

Sound off below!