French National Assembly acknowledges Palestinian State

December 3, 2014

With a majority of 339 supporters against 151 opposers, 's voted yesterday for French recognition of a.

The non-binding vote calls on the French government “to recognize the state of Palestine in view of reaching a definitive settlement to the conflict“.

French MP, who drafted the motion, said this was "a message of peace and friendship addressed to the two peoples, and ".

The supports the establishment and official recognition of a Palestinian state, but only after peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine are reinitiated.

A week before the vote, French foreign minister said his country was willing to host an international conference to promote the negotiations "for the definitive resolution of the conflict".

The vote in the French lower house comes on the heels of similar votes for the recognition of a Palestinian state in the and  parliaments, and recognition of a Palestinian state by.