The British Parliament has voted overwhelmingly in favour of recognising Palestine as a state.
Pro-Palestinian supporters in Parliament Square, central London, yesterday. Photo: AFP
MPs in the House of Commons voted 274 to 12 for the non-binding resolution, saying the government should recognise the state of Palestine alongside the state of Israel as a contribution to securing a negotiated two-state solution.
The lower House 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 is symbolic but could have international implications, the BBC reports.
Government ministers abstained on the vote, on a motion put forward by Labour MP Grahame Morris and amended by former Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.
Middle East Minister Tobias Ellwood said Britain reserved the right to recognise Palestine when it is "appropriate for the peace process".
In 2012, the United Nations 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 United Kingdom - abstaining.
Mr Morris told MPs that recognising Palestine as a state would be a "symbolically important" step towards peace, saying relations between Israelis and Palestinians were "stuck at an impasse".
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."
