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David Cameron to abstain in Palestine statehood vote | David Cameron to abstain in Palestine statehood vote |
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David Cameron is to abstain in a parliamentary vote on recognising Palestine as a state, the UK prime minister's spokesman has said. | David Cameron is to abstain in a parliamentary vote on recognising Palestine as a state, the UK prime minister's spokesman has said. |
Labour MP Grahame Morris is presenting the motion, which has the backing of the Labour shadow cabinet, on Monday. | Labour MP Grahame Morris is presenting the motion, which has the backing of the Labour shadow cabinet, on Monday. |
The vote is symbolic and would not change government policy but could have international implications. | The vote is symbolic and would not change government policy but could have international implications. |
In 2012 the UN General Assembly voted to upgrade the Palestinians' status to that of "non-member observer state". | In 2012 the UN General Assembly voted to upgrade the Palestinians' status to that of "non-member observer state". |
The assembly voted 138 to nine in favour, with 41 nations - including the UK - abstaining. | The assembly voted 138 to nine in favour, with 41 nations - including the UK - abstaining. |
Amendment | Amendment |
Current UK government policy, as set out by former Foreign Secretary William Hague, is that it "reserves the right to recognise a Palestinian state bilaterally at the moment of our choosing and when it can best help bring about peace". | Current UK government policy, as set out by former Foreign Secretary William Hague, is that it "reserves the right to recognise a Palestinian state bilaterally at the moment of our choosing and when it can best help bring about peace". |
Mr Morris's motion states that "this House believes that the government should recognise the state of Palestine alongside the state of Israel". | Mr Morris's motion states that "this House believes that the government should recognise the state of Palestine alongside the state of Israel". |
The prime minister's official spokesman said: "The government's position is very clear and hasn't changed, so I think that is a very clear indication of the British government's approach. | |
"The government's approach is a long-standing one and is in support of a two-state solution and we will continue to work with a range of international partners - Israel, the Palestinian Authority - in support of that." | |
The BBC understands that a group of backbench MPs will attach an amendment to the motion on Monday, adding a clause with the words "as a contribution to securing a negotiated two-state solution". | The BBC understands that a group of backbench MPs will attach an amendment to the motion on Monday, adding a clause with the words "as a contribution to securing a negotiated two-state solution". |
The vote comes amid moves elsewhere in Europe to recognise Palestinian statehood officially, more than 100 countries having done so. | |
Israel says moves to recognise Palestine are premature and undermine efforts to reach a peace settlement between the two sides. | Israel says moves to recognise Palestine are premature and undermine efforts to reach a peace settlement between the two sides. |
Palestinian officials say they have been forced to pursue measures including seeking greater recognition internationally because a succession of peace talks has failed. | Palestinian officials say they have been forced to pursue measures including seeking greater recognition internationally because a succession of peace talks has failed. |
Labour has twice called on the government - in 2011 and 2012 - to back Palestine's request for official state recognition at the UN. | Labour has twice called on the government - in 2011 and 2012 - to back Palestine's request for official state recognition at the UN. |
It is believed Conservative MPs will have a free vote on the motion and that it has the support of most Liberal Democrat MPs. | It is believed Conservative MPs will have a free vote on the motion and that it has the support of most Liberal Democrat MPs. |