FRENCH SENATE TO OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZE STATE OF PALESTINE

Paris, 18 Safar 1436/11 December 2014 (MINA) – French Senate has adopted a resolution calling on the government to recognize the state of Palestine.

The draft resolution submitted by the Greens parliamentary group was adopted by 154 votes in favor to 146 votes against on Thursday, Anadolu Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Although the resolution is symbolic, it is widely believed the support of France will strengthen the position of Palestine in peace negotiations.

Socialist party senator Gilbert Roger told the Senate, “Palestine cannot continue to be the exception to international standards. It’s been 47 years that the Palestinian territories are occupied.”

“It is time for France to take its responsibility and recognize the State of Palestine,” he said.

UMP senator Christian Cambon said ahead of the vote that his group would be voting against the resolution, saying: “This text was against the wishes of French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius.”

Fabius said on Dec.2 that France would recognize Palestine as a state if peace efforts failed.

The lower house of France’s Parliament adopted a similar measure last week with 339 lawmakers voting for a motion and 151 against.

The motion, proposed by the ruling Socialists and some conservatives and left-wing parties, called on the government to “use the recognition of a Palestinian state with the aim of resolving the conflict definitively”.(T/P008/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)