French National Assembly to vote to recognise Palestine

Sources in the French National Assembly said that the socialist MPs will present a proposal on the formal recognition of the State of Palestine; the vote is due to take place on November 28.

It is expected that the Socialist MPs, who constitute the majority in the French parliament, will approve the recognition of Palestine, aiming to put pressure on Israel to push towards a solution that would put an end to the clashes and get the two parties to reach a final solution.

Observers believe that this vote remains a symbolic one even if approved by the National Assembly and Senate since it will not mean the official recognition of the State of Palestine, a decision that has to be made by the executive authority, similar to the case in Britain.

Sweden recognised the State of Palestine a few days ago. It is considered the first European Union member to recognise Palestine. Hungary, Poland and Slovakia recognised the State of Palestine before joining the EU. Some 130 countries around the world recognise Palestine as an independent state.