Recognizing a Palestinian state is a good thing, and it does matter. As of 22 September, according to the BBC, France has joined the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia in recognizing a Palestinian state. But what does recognition even mean? This Palestinian state has “no internationally agreed boundaries, no capital and no army.” It really doesn't seem like much of a “state” at all.

So the whole thing's performative, isn't it?

Yes, I think it is performative. And that raises a question: If recognition of a Palestinian state is performative, then what is the performance?