British lawmakers voted overwhelmingly in favor of recognizing Palestine as a state on Monday, in a non-binding motion heavy with symbolism, but unlikely to change government policy.
The motion was passed by 274 in favor to 12 votes against, to “recognize the state of Palestine alongside the state of Israel as a contribution to securing a negotiated two-state solution.”
The heated debate in the House of Commons was watched around the world and could have diplomatic implications, bolstering a campaign by Palestinian authorities for recognition.
It comes after the Swedish government announced it would recognize a Palestinian state — it would be the first EU member in Western Europe to do so — drawing anger from Israel.
The British government is not bound to act on the motion, as it was initiated by a backbencher from the opposition Labour Party, and said it would only recognize a Palestinian state at the appropriate time.
“The aspirations of the Palestinian people cannot be fully realized until there is an end to the occupation... and we believe this will only come through negotiations,” British Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Tobias Ellwood said. “Only an end to the occupation will ensure that Palestinian statehood becomes a reality on the ground. The UK will bilaterally recognize a Palestinian state when we judge that it can best help bring about the peace.”
British Prime Minister David Cameron abstained from the vote, along with other members of the government, which backs a two-state solution.
Fewer than half of all lawmakers cast ballots, but it drew cross-party support and was backed by 39 Conservative lawmakers and 192 Labour lawmakers, including party leader Ed Miliband.
Labour lawmaker Jack Straw, who was foreign secretary in the government of former prime minister Tony Blair, denied suggestions that the motion would have little effect.
“I believe the fact of the Israelis’ very intemperate reaction to the prospect of this House passing this resolution is proof that this resolution will make a difference,” Straw said.
The Labour lawmaker who presented the motion, Grahame Morris, argued that recognition of a Palestinian state could restart peace negotiations with Israel.
“It’s absolutely clear that Israel-Palestine relations are stuck at an impasse, as is our foreign policy,” Morris said as he opened the debate.
Morris said the vote was an opportunity to translate “talk about the two-state solution” into action and he argued that Britain had a moral responsibility to act because of its history as a colonial power in the region.
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