French Parliament Votes to Recognize Palestinian State

TEHRAN (IQNA) - French lawmakers voted in favor of recognizing Palestinian state on Tuesday, December 02, reflecting a growing European impatience with a stalled peace process.

The motion, proposed by the ruling Socialists and backed by left-wing parties and some conservatives, asks the government to "use the recognition of a Palestinian state with the aim of resolving the conflict definitively", OnIslam.net reported.

Echoing similar trend in Britain, Spain and Ireland, the votes received the backing of 339 lawmakers with 151 voting against.

The non-binding vote reflects a symbolic move that will not immediately affect France's diplomatic stance.
In October, Sweden became the biggest Western European country to recognize Palestine, and parliaments in Spain, Britain and Ireland held votes in which they backed non-binding resolutions in favor of recognition.