Outraged by Israel’s Behavior, British MPs Recognize Palestinian State
Voting by 274 to 12, a majority of 262, MPs on all sides urged the Government to recognize the state of Palestine.
Support for the motion, while symbolic, marks a significant change in the political landscape, following the failure of successive peace negotiations and the bitter conflict in Gaza over the summer.
Significantly Labor whipped its MPs to vote in favor of the resolution; raising the prospect that the party would defy Israel’s wishes and recognize Palestine as a state should it come to power at the next election, The Independent reported.
But even previously staunch supporters of Israel within the Conservative Party chose not to oppose the motion which was brought by the backbench Labor MP Grahame Morris.
Richard Ottaway, chairman of the powerful Foreign Affairs Select Committee, said he no longer felt he could vote to deny the Palestinians the right of recognition because of recent Israeli actions.
“I have been a friend of Israel long before I became a Tory,” he told the House of Commons. “I have stood by Israel through thick and thin. But I realize now that Israel has been slowly drifting away from world international public opinion.
“The annexation of the 950 acres of the West Bank just a few months ago has outraged me more than anything else in my political life. Under normal circumstances I would oppose this motion. But such is my anger over the behaviour of Israel that I will not be opposing it. I have to say to the government of Israel – if it is losing people like me it is going to be losing a lot people.”
Alan Duncan, the former international development minister, said he would be supporting the motion. “Refusing Palestinian recognition is tantamount to giving Israel the right of veto,” he said.
“Recognizing Palestine is not about recognizing a government. It is states that are recognized not governments. It is the recognition of the right to exist as a state – it is not about endorsing a state that has to be in perfect working order. It is the principle of that recognition that this House should pass today.”
