Do a people have a right to be a nation?

On Nov 18, Pres. Obama stated, "There is no country on Earth that would tolerate missiles raining down on from outside its borders. We are fully supportive of Israel’s right to defend its borders."

On Dec 3, UN Ambassador Susan Rice stated, "This resolution does not establish that Palestine is a state, ... nor does passing any resolution create a state where none indeed exists or change the reality on the ground."

So the U.S. position on Palestine is that they are neither part of Israel nor an independent state, thus denying them any status at all as an organized nation or an organized people.  According to the Declaration of Independence, "to secure these rights [i.e. Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness], Governments are instituted among Men."  So denying the Palestinian people the right to be a part of any government also denies them the right to secure life, liberty, and pursue happiness. 

What should a people appropriately do when placed in that situation?