BICOM

Iceland’s parliament yesterday voted in favour of a bill to recognise the Palestinian territories as an independent state. “Iceland is the first Western European country to take this step,” Foreign Minister Ossur Skarphedinsson said. “I now have the formal authority to declare our recognition of Palestine.” The foreign minister also urged Israel and the Palestinians to seek a peace agreement passed on international law and previous UN resolutions.

The vote took place yesterday, which marked the annual day at the UN for solidarity with the Palestinian people and received 38 votes in favour out of the 63 seats in the parliament. Iceland’s recognition is seen as a symbolic achievement for the Palestinians but has little impact in the overall campaign for the Palestinians to receive full recognition and membership by the United Nations.