British MPs voted to recognize Palestine as a state alongside Israel

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 abstained on the vote, on a motion put forward by Labour MP Grahame Morris and amended by former Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.

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.

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.

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.

The government is not bound to do anything as a result of the vote.

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.

Israel says moves to recognize 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.

Labour has twice called on the government - in 2011 and 2012 - to back Palestine's request for official state recognition at the UN.

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