With Gaza under siege and the West Bank under threat, will the symbolic act of recognising a Palestinian state give its inhabitants reasons to hope or despair? Some 715 days since Hamas orchestrated the worst terror attack in Israel's history, what's clear is that Israel has since squandered sympathy with its incessant pummelling of Gaza and the unchecked land grabs by the state and Jewish settlers in the West Bank.

Among the dozen nations recognising Palestine is former colonial power Britain, as well as France, which is home to both Europe's largest Muslim and Jewish populations. Is this a lone act of frustration directed as much at Israel as its main backer, the United States?

Or can Europe move the conversation towards actual peace building? We ask our panel and gauge the mood with our correspondents. We also ask about the "us versus them" statements of Israel's prime minister in the face of calls for international isolation and sporting boycotts. Critics are comparing the pressure to that exerted on apartheid-era South Africa.

But in this showdown, there is no Nelson Mandela figure. At least, not so far. Where is the leadership – on both sides – and the actors who can bargain in good faith?

Produced by Andrew Hilliar, Ilayda Habip, Aurore Laborie and Charles Wente.