British MPs vote an overwhelming ‘Yes’ to Palestine

[King_David]

274 support motion urging ‘the government to recognize the State of Palestine,’ while only 12 oppose, in vote laden with symbolism

British lawmakers voted resoundingly Monday in favor of a Palestinian state, in a debate unlikely to change government policy but laden with political symbolism.

The ayes carried the vote with 274 votes, against only 12 nays. Opposition Labour Party leader Ed Miliband, who is Jewish, voted in support of the motion.

The initial motion that was debated declared: “This House urges the government to recognize the State of Palestine alongside the State of Israel.” It was subsequently amended to add the phrase “as a contribution to securing a negotiated two-state solution.”

The House of Commons debate was watched around the world after Sweden drew anger from Israel this month for saying it would recognize Palestine.


http://www.timesofisrael.com/british-mps-vote-overwhelmingly-to-recognize-palestine/

[Jefferson23]

1. Cowards. n/t

[grossproffit]

2. Did you want them to vote no? eom

[Jefferson23]

3. 12 did. n/t

[LeftishBrit]

4. Why?

Or are you referring to the ones who abstained rather than voting no?

No doubt most of our MPs are cowards; but I wouldn't give this particular vote as an example.

[Jefferson23]

10. See post #3. n/t

[LeftishBrit]

5. Good - though this is essentially symbolic at this stage

[Israeli]

6. Its great !!....

....where is next ???

[Israeli]

8. So not France ?

I've heard it will be Denmark ......what say you ?

Dont rain on our parade ....not today ....we are all smiles over here .

All of us from the true Israeli Left that is ... Meretz voters past and present ...non Zionists and post zionists included .....

Ref :

http://972mag.com/ex-israeli-ministers-mks-academics-to-british-mps-support-palestinian-statehood/97625/

http://www.kibush.co.il/show_file.asp?num=66403

Yee..hah !!....

[oberliner]

9. Hopefully a step toward revitalizing the two-state solution

Clearly the international community is behind such an endeavor - if only the Israelis and Palestinians would get back on board.

[Jefferson23]

11. Israel says UK Palestine vote undermines peace prospects

JERUSALEM (AFP) -- Israel warned Tuesday that a vote by the British parliament in favor of recognizing a Palestinian state risked undermining the prospects for peace.

"Premature international recognition sends a troubling message to the Palestinian leadership that they can evade the tough choices that both sides have to make, and actually undermines the chances to reach a real peace," said a statement from the Israeli foreign ministry.

Late Monday, British MPs voted 274 to 12 for a non-binding motion to "recognize the state of Palestine alongside the state of Israel as a contribution to securing a negotiated two-state solution".

The resolution was welcomed by the Palestinians.

"It will enhance the European voices calling for the recognition of the State of Palestine and will create the right environment for the international community to grant the Palestinian people legal parity and rights," senior Palestine Liberation Official Hanan Ashrawi said in a statement.

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=733114

[Jefferson23]

12. Opinion UK vote on Palestine: Why all the fuss?

That a symbolic vote to recognise Palestine has become so problematic speaks volumes on the conflict with Israel.
Last updated: 12 Oct 2014 10:13

For something billed as mostly "symbolic", the subject seems to be generating some heated, last-minute debate. On October 13, UK parliament votes on whether to call on government to recognise the state of Palestine. It isn't a binding vote, but calls for Britain to join the 134 nations that already bilaterally recognise Palestine - Sweden being the most recent of these to do so, last week. It also consolidates the UN recognition of Palestine in 2012.

Earlier reporting on the issue suggested that the backbench motion wasn't likely to pass in parliament. But now, the opposition Labour party has backed the proposal, compelling party members of parliament to vote in favour - which actually is in line with the party's stated policy and its position on the UN 2012 vote. That significantly raises the chances of a yes vote, but is reported to have caused anger within the Labour party and prompted "deep divisions" across parliament.

A UK vote in favour clearly wouldn't miraculously create an independent, autonomous and free-from-occupation Palestine on the ground. Supporters, both British and Palestinian, speak of it as a first step not a fix-all. It isn't intended to replace internationally supported peace talks on a two-state track. It would bring diplomatic benefits: a Palestinian embassy, immunity, that sort of thing. Coming from Britain it might add to the momentum created by Sweden and encourage other Western European nations to follow suit - which might then shift dynamics at the EU over vital issues such as the flow of goods from Israeli settlements. And it is, by definition, a validation in the international political arena. And there, apparently, lies the problem.

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2014/10/uk-vote-palestine-why-all-fuss-2014101282415844839.html

[Jefferson23]

13. MPs vote to recognise Palestinian state, adding to pressure on Israel

Ed Miliband among MPs who back symbolic move in emotional debate in House of Commons


Patrick Wintour, political editor
The Guardian, Monday 13 October 2014 17.53 EDT

MPs including the Labour leader, Ed Miliband, have voted to recognise Palestine as a state in a symbolic move that will unnerve Israel by suggesting that it is losing a wider battle for public opinion in Britain.

The vote of 274 to 12, a majority of 262, on a backbench motion has no practical impact on British government policy and ministers were instructed not to vote. Labour decided to impose a one-line whip, and the Liberal Democrats, like the Conservatives, gave their backbenchers a free vote.

In possibly the single most important contribution in an emotional debate, Richard Ottaway, the Conservative chairman of the foreign affairs select committee, said the recent annexation of West Bank land by the Israeli government had angered him like nothing else in politics.

The Conservative MP said he had been a supporter of the state of Israel before he became a Tory and had close family connections with the generation that formed the Israeli state. He explained: “The Holocaust had a deep impact on me growing up in the wake of the second world war,” adding that he had been a strong supporter of Israel in the six day war and subsequent conflicts.

He told MPs: “Looking back over the past 20 years, I realise now Israel has slowly been drifting away from world public opinion. The annexation of the 950 acres of the West Bank just a few months ago has outraged me more than anything else in my political life. It has made me look a fool and that is something I deeply resent.”

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/13/mps-vote-to-recognise-palestinian-state

[Israeli]

14. Spanish parliament to vote on Palestinian state recognition

Roi Kais Published: 10.17.14, 08:47 / Israel News

The Spanish parliament was set to vote on recognizing a Palestinian state on Friday, Al Arabiya reported.

The announcement comes days after British lawmakers voted in favor of a non-binding motion to recognize the Palestinian state, and after Sweden's new center-left government announced it would officially recognize Palestine, causing rift in ties with Israel.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4581160,00.html

[Israeli]

15. Left-wing Israelis urge Spain to recognize Palestine.....

Less than a week after it was reported that the Spanish parliament would vote on recognizing Palestine as a state, left-wing Israelis launched an online petition urging Spain to do just that.

The petition was initiated by former Foreign Ministry director-general Dr. Alon Liel and Peace Now founders Amiram Goldblum and Naftali Raz. As of Sunday, it had collected more than 300 signatures from Israeli professors and academics, actors, artists and other left-leaning figures.

"We, citizens of Israel who wish it to be a safe and thriving country are worried by the continued political stalemate and by the occupation and settlements activities which lead to further confrontations with the Palestinians and torpedo the chances for a compromise," the petition reads.

"It is clear that the prospects for Israel's security and existence depend on the existence of a Palestinian state side by side with Israel," it goes on. "Israel should recognize the state of Palestine and Palestine should recognize the state of Israel, based on the June 4 1967 borders. Your initiative for recognizing the state of Palestine will advance the prospects of peace and will encourage Israelis and Palestinians to bring an end to their conflict."

The report that Spain's legislature would vote on recognizing a Palestinian state came just days after British lawmakers overwhelmingly voted in favor of a non-binding resolution to recognize Palestine. It passed by a margin of 274 to 12.

The British vote called for recognition of “the state of Palestine alongside the state of Israel” as part of a “contribution to securing a negotiated two-state solution.”

Early this month, Sweden said it would be the first major member of the European Union to recognize Palestine, drawing criticism from Israeli government officials.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/1.622809

[4now]

16. Drip, drip, drip

Soon it will be a flood.
Bibi the chickensh*t better have his waders on.

[oberliner]

17. What happens after every country in the world recognizes a Palestinian state?

What do you think would be the next step after that?

[King_David]

18. Why , what will happen when it's a flood?

It is already a flood.

So what do you mean ? Explain it to us.

[Israeli]

19. Denmark is next ....

660 Israelis, among them many well-known, to Danish Parliament members: Vote in favor of recognizing State of Palestine!

Press release (in Hebrew) - 10.11.2014
Translation Adam Keller

A letter addressed to all Members of the Folketing (Danish Parliament) and signed by 660 Israeli public figures calls upon them to vote in favor of Denmark recognizing the State of Palestine. The Danish Parliament is due to vote on such a motion later this week, following similar votes in the British Parliament and the Irish Senate, and the decision of Sweden, Denmark`s neighbor, to extend such recognition to the State of Palestine. A similar vote is due in the French Parliament, in December, as well as in Spain.

Such international diplomatic recognition would greatly facilitate the Palestinian efforts to achieve actual independence and national statehood on the ground. Far from being a threat and danger, as presented by the government of Israel, the creation of a Palestinian state side by side with Israel is the only chance to end the long lasting conflict and bloodshed and achieve real peace between Israel and its neighbors - including and especially the Palestinians. The signatories are determined to go on addressing the Parliaments of all countries friendly to Israel in which such debates and votes would take place.

The letter addressing Members of the Folketing was initiated by Dr. Alon Li`el, former Director General of the Israeli Foreign Ministry, together with Prof. Amiram Goldblum, a founder of Peace Now, and Naftali Raz of the action group Massad. Also joining in the initiative is Prof. Eli Bar Navi, former Israeli Ambassador to France. e

.In Copenhagen, the letter was passed on to Folketing Members via Christian Juhl, the Member with whom the Israeli activists are in direct contact

For further information:

Dr. Alon Li`el - Former Director General of the Israeli Foreign Ministry [email protected], [phone]

Prof. Eli Bar Navi, former Israeli Ambassador to France, [email protected] [phone]

Prof. Amiram Goldblum [email protected], [phone]

Naftali Raz [email protected], [phone]

We the undersigned,

Citizens of Israel who wish it to be a safe and thriving country, are worried by the continued political stalemate and by the occupation and settlements activities which lead to further confrontations with the Palestinians and torpedo the chances for a compromise.

It is clear that the prospects for Israel`s security and existence depend on the existence of a Palestinian state side by side with Israel. Israel should recognize the state of Palestine and Palestine should recognize the state of Israel, based on the June 4 1967 borders.

Your initiative for recognizing the state of Palestine will advance the prospects of peace and will encourage Israelis and Palestinians to bring an end to their conflict.

Source:http://www.kibush.co.il/show_file.asp?num=66807