Spain's Congress of Deputies has voted overwhelmingly in favor of recognition of Palestinian statehood.
However, lawmakers watered down outright calls on the government to recognize a Palestinian state at the request of the governing Popular Party (PP). The non-binding resolution was introduced by the opposition Socialist Party. The text received the backing of 319 of the 322 deputies who took part in the vote. Only two voted against, and one abstained.
"The Spanish parliament urges the government to encourage the recognition of Palestine as a state... This recognition should be the consequence of a process negotiated between the parties that guarantees peace and security for both," the wording proposed by the PP said.
Socialist politician Trinidad Jimenez, a former Spanish foreign minister who had sponsored the motion, told the chamber: “The Spanish Parliament unanimously believes that the recognition of the Palestinian state is the best contribution we can make to achieve peace. This message should be understood as a decision that doesn’t go against anything or anybody."
British and Irish lawmakers voted for similar non-binding motions in October, while French lawmakers are to vote on a proposal next week.
The Swedish government went one step further and became the first EU country to officially recognize the Palestinian State, bringing the total number of countries which recognize Palestine to 135.
