Plans announced by France, the United Kingdom and Canada to recognize a Palestinian state won't bring one about anytime soon, though they could further isolate Israel and strengthen the Palestinians' negotiating position over the long term.

Three key U.S. allies said over the past week that they would recognize a Palestinian state, and others said they were considering doing the same — a major shift that leaves Israel increasingly isolated amid mounting international concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The recent push by several countries to recognize a state of Palestine is largely symbolic, but it carries diplomatic and potentially legal weight.