Italian parliament pushes for recognition of Palestine

The resolution, which was approved by Italian lawmakers on Friday, called on the government to "sponsor the recognition of Palestine as a democratic and sovereign state within the 1967 borders and with Jerusalem as a shared capital, taking fully into account the worries and legitimate interests of the State of Israel."

The government of current Prime Minister Matteo Renzi supported the motion presented by the ruling party. Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni confirmed that he agreed with the initiative before the vote.

Italian MPs also approved a motion calling for an agreement between two significant Palestinian factions, Islamist Hamas and secular Fatah. According to the document, the deal should be based on the recognition of Israel and the renunciation of violence, thus "setting up the conditions for the recognition of a Palestinian State."

The Israeli embassy in Rome welcomed Friday's decisions, on the grounds that they did not imply any immediate recognition and that one of the motions acknowledged that Palestinian statehood could come "only through negotiations" with Israel.

"After the elections and the formation of a new government in Israel in March, Palestinians need to decide to return to the negotiation table with no preconditions, to promote peace and security between the two people," the embassy said.

Sweden first EU member to recognize Palestine

The decision by Italy's Chamber of Deputies highlights European frustration over the decades-long peace process between Israelis and Palestinians. Voices criticizing Israeli policy have been growing especially loud after the collapse of the peace talks last April, which were brokered by the United States.

Ireland, Britain and France and several other European countries held similar symbolic votes toward the end of last year, and in December, the European Parliament supported Palestinian recognition "in principle."

Sweden went a step further, recognizing Palestine as a state.

In general, Israel opposes such motions, arguing that wider international recognition might make peace negotiations more difficult.

Still, most Western countries officially support the Israeli and US position that an independent Palestinian state should be the result of an agreement with Israel.

Friday's vote also does not change the official position of the Italian government, which still supports a negotiated two-state solution.

dj/msh (Reuters, dpa)