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MPs back Palestinian statehood alongside Israel | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
MPs have voted by 274 to 12 in favour of recognising Palestine as a state alongside Israel. | |
The House of Commons backed the move "as a contribution to securing a negotiated two-state solution". | |
The vote is symbolic but could have international implications. | The vote is symbolic but could have international implications. |
Government ministers abstained in the vote, and Middle East Minister Tobias Ellwood said Britain reserved the right to recognise Palestine when it is "appropriate for the peace process". | |
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. |
The motion was put forward by Labour MP Grahame Morris and amended by former Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. | |
Mr Morris told MPs recognising Palestine as a state would be a "symbolically important" step towards peace, saying relations between Israelis and Palestinians were "stuck at an impasse". | |
'Two-state solution' | 'Two-state solution' |
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". |
The full motion stated: "That this House believes that the Government should recognise the state of Palestine alongside the state of Israel as a contribution to securing a negotiated two state solution." | |
Another former foreign secretary, the Conservative Sir Malcolm Rifkind, said he too wanted to see a two-state solution but added: "Symbolism sometimes has a purpose, it sometimes has a role, but I have to say you do not recognise a state which has not yet got the fundamental ingredients that a state requires if it's going to carry out its international functions and therefore, at the very least, I would respectfully suggest this motion is premature." | Another former foreign secretary, the Conservative Sir Malcolm Rifkind, said he too wanted to see a two-state solution but added: "Symbolism sometimes has a purpose, it sometimes has a role, but I have to say you do not recognise a state which has not yet got the fundamental ingredients that a state requires if it's going to carry out its international functions and therefore, at the very least, I would respectfully suggest this motion is premature." |
Ahead of the debate, 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 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." |
Although Liberal Democrat ministers were expected to abstain, in accordance with established policy on backbench debates, it is party policy to support recognition of Palestinian statehood. | |
The vote comes amid moves elsewhere in Europe to recognise Palestinian statehood officially, more than 100 countries having done so. | 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. |