According to the BBC “MPs have voted 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” – although less than half of MPs took part in the vote. The result, 274 to 12, is symbolic but could have international implications.”
Government ministers were instructed to abstain, but the leader of the Labour Party voted in favour of the motion.
Although the Government is under no obligation to take any practical measures this is seen as a moral victory and a contribution to moving forward to restart negotiations.
On 23 September 2011, President Mahmoud Abbas on behalf of the PLO submitted an application for membership of Palestine in the United Nations. On 29 November 2012, the General Assembly granted Palestine non-member observer state status in United Nations General Assembly resolution 67/19. Recently Sweden was the first country of the European Union to recognise Palestine as a State. Around 70% of the countries members of the UN have also given their recognition.
