French MPs vote in favor of Palestinian state

France’s lower house of Parliament voted Tuesday to urge the government to recognize a Palestinian state, in the hope that it would speed up peace efforts, AFP reported.

The 339-151 vote is nonbinding, but it’s a symbolic boost for the Palestinians, amid growing support in Europe for two states. The measure asks the government “to recognize the state of Palestine in view of reaching a definitive settlement to the conflict.”

France’s Socialist government supports a Palestinian state, but has said it’s too early for recognition. France, a veto-wielding member of the U.N. Security Council, wants peace talks to restart first.

Israel says it is committed to establishing a Palestinian state under a peace agreement, and objects to such resolutions because the Palestinians will be encouraged to avoid negotiations.

“We believe that such a decision will only radicalize the positions of the Palestinians and will send the wrong message to the leaders and people in this region,” Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon said. The only way to peace, he said, is direct negotiations.Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the French initiative was a “courageous and encouraging step.”