London, Dec.11 (Petra)–The Irish parliament approved a non -binding resolution calling on the government to formally recognize the state of Palestine.
The motion calls on the government to “officially recognize the State of Palestine, on the basis of the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital, according to the United Nation resolutions”.
The non-binding memo stated that the move constitutes ” a further positive contribution to securing a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”
The resolution said that “continued Israeli settlement construction and extension activities in the West Bank, is illegal and severely threatening the establishment of a viable Palestinian state.”
The discussion in Ireland follows several similar moves made by other countries in Europe including France,Britain and Spain.
Some news reports misinterpreted the Irish vote as a government decision to recognize Palestinian statehood. But a statement by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs said Ireland’s position is unchanged. While government lawmakers did support the motion’s aspirations, it said, unilateral action by Ireland would undermine wider efforts begun last month in Brussels to forge a possible joint EU position on Palestinian statehood.
//Petra//S Kh//R Q//
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