Britain and France's recognition of a state of Palestine at the United Nations is a historic moment in the century-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
But it is also a diplomatic gamble illustrating how major European powers believe the conflict has reached the point where it requires them to take such an unprecedented move.
Faced with the current catastrophe in Gaza, and meting out condemnation for both Israel and Hamas, French President Emmanuel Macron said right must prevail over might..
His move, co-ordinated with the UK and under Saudi sponsorship, is meant to keep the two-state solution on life support.
They believe this long-held international formula for peace is the only path to a fair, shared future for the two societies.
The alternative, UN Secretary General António Guterres told a UN conference in New York, was a one-state solution, meaning Israeli domination and the subjugation of Palestinians.
Nothing, he said, could justify their collective punishment, starvation or any form of ethnic cleansing.
Israel is furious and is threatening to respond.
It sees the UN conference - along with recognition of a Palestinian state by the UK, France, Canada, Australia, and others - as a reward for Hamas after its attacks on Israel.
Some Israeli ministers want the response to be an announcement of annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank, forever ruling out a viable Palestinian state on the territory.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's governing coalition, including far-right figures whose avowed policy is to expel Palestinians and build Jewish settlements in their place, is intent on pulling the plug on a two-state solution.
The Trump administration continues to back its Israeli ally, punishing Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas.
It barred him from attending the conference in New York and he spoke via video link instead.
This situation marks the deepest-ever split between Washington and its European allies over how to solve the Middle East conflict.
But the Europeans believe they have been left with little choice given the situation on the ground.
Macron's strategy is an attempt to show that diplomacy offers a viable alternative.
The European countries argue Israel's strategy has failed, resulting only in further civilian suffering and endangering the remaining hostages.
Crucially, the UN conference was also led by Saudi Arabia and supported by the Arab League.
The French argue this shows its form of diplomacy can exert leverage over Hamas because key Arab countries at the conference have now called on the group to disarm, hand its weapons to the PA, adding it can have no future leadership role for Palestinians.
Palestinians welcome their recognition from the European nations, but they also know these are the superpowers of the past.
Palestinian statehood only becomes feasible if it's backed by the superpower of today, the United States.
And President Trump so far has other ideas.
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