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MEPs back Palestinian statehood bid | MEPs back Palestinian statehood bid |
(35 minutes later) | |
If you are in Strasbourg for a European Parliament plenary session you are bound to run into a drinks reception at some point. This time, it was an event to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. | If you are in Strasbourg for a European Parliament plenary session you are bound to run into a drinks reception at some point. This time, it was an event to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. |
There was singing, a live band and an opulent buffet (kosher of course). The vice-president of the parliament even lit the special festival candelabra. | There was singing, a live band and an opulent buffet (kosher of course). The vice-president of the parliament even lit the special festival candelabra. |
But attention shifted to the thorny political question of Palestine on Wednesday. | But attention shifted to the thorny political question of Palestine on Wednesday. |
The European Parliament voted to recognise Palestine as a state "in principle", by an overwhelming majority - 498 in favour and 88 against. | The European Parliament voted to recognise Palestine as a state "in principle", by an overwhelming majority - 498 in favour and 88 against. |
There was a standing ovation in the chamber, as many feel this is a historic moment: it's the first time that the parliament has adopted a formal position on the issue. | There was a standing ovation in the chamber, as many feel this is a historic moment: it's the first time that the parliament has adopted a formal position on the issue. |
Several EU officials said they were surprised that the five main political groups - especially the conservatives and the socialists - had found an agreement. The Germans were particularly hard to convince. | Several EU officials said they were surprised that the five main political groups - especially the conservatives and the socialists - had found an agreement. The Germans were particularly hard to convince. |
"I've been an MEP for twenty years, and this is the toughest negotiation I've ever had to endure," said Richard Howitt, the Socialist group's foreign affairs spokesperson, who proposed the vote. | "I've been an MEP for twenty years, and this is the toughest negotiation I've ever had to endure," said Richard Howitt, the Socialist group's foreign affairs spokesperson, who proposed the vote. |
He likened the process to peace talks: "We were only able to reach an agreement in the past 24 hours, and this included a series of back channels with private emails, phone calls over the weekend, and even a glass of whisky." | He likened the process to peace talks: "We were only able to reach an agreement in the past 24 hours, and this included a series of back channels with private emails, phone calls over the weekend, and even a glass of whisky." |
Drive for recognition | Drive for recognition |
The MEPs voted to support "in principle recognition of Palestinian statehood and the two-state solution", with Jerusalem as the capital of both states. The text also says that Israeli settlements are illegal under international law, and calls on the EU to become a facilitator in the Middle East peace process. | The MEPs voted to support "in principle recognition of Palestinian statehood and the two-state solution", with Jerusalem as the capital of both states. The text also says that Israeli settlements are illegal under international law, and calls on the EU to become a facilitator in the Middle East peace process. |
There is growing momentum to recognise Palestinian statehood. In the past couple of months the parliaments of the UK, Republic of Ireland, Spain and France have all passed non-binding motions in favour. Sweden has gone further, officially recognising Palestine as a state. | There is growing momentum to recognise Palestinian statehood. In the past couple of months the parliaments of the UK, Republic of Ireland, Spain and France have all passed non-binding motions in favour. Sweden has gone further, officially recognising Palestine as a state. |
The moves have been criticised by Israel, which says recognition of statehood in this way discourages Palestinians from resuming talks on a final status agreement. | |
The European Parliament clearly doesn't want to lag behind. Even the Greens and the far left, who often oppose the main political groups, are happy. | The European Parliament clearly doesn't want to lag behind. Even the Greens and the far left, who often oppose the main political groups, are happy. |
"The text should go even further," said Tamas Meszerics, the Hungarian MEP who negotiated on behalf of the Greens. "I wish it would set out a European strategy on the Israeli-Palestine conflict. But this is a good compromise, and I think it puts it on the cards for the EU to be more of a political player in the future." | "The text should go even further," said Tamas Meszerics, the Hungarian MEP who negotiated on behalf of the Greens. "I wish it would set out a European strategy on the Israeli-Palestine conflict. But this is a good compromise, and I think it puts it on the cards for the EU to be more of a political player in the future." |
This vote is not legally binding, but it sends a strong message to the international community. Palestinian officials say they will press on with a bid for statehood at the UN - and this European support no doubt helps their cause. | This vote is not legally binding, but it sends a strong message to the international community. Palestinian officials say they will press on with a bid for statehood at the UN - and this European support no doubt helps their cause. |
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