No, nothing will change on the ground, and yes, Britain's decision to recognise the state of Palestine is mainly a symbolic exercise. But in the Middle East, symbolism can count for a lot.

In the streets of the West Bank , there are plenty who think it is proof that their problems have been seen and, in the future, they will get more help.

"Better late than never," was the pithy analysis of Varsen Aghabekian, the Palestinian Authority's foreign minister, when we met in Ramallah.

Follow latest: Palestine recognised as a state by three countries

"Britain, with its weight, can influence other countries to come forward and recognise, because that is the right thing to do."

Palestinian politicians hope this will help to usher in a new era - that they will end up with more diplomatic h

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