Greek Parliament calls on government to recognize a Palestinian State

During an official visit to Greece, Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas announced plans on Monday to begin issuing passports for the “State of Palestine” rather than the Palestinian Authority.

Abbas told Greek MPs that the vote would contribute to the creation of a Palestinian state.

The UK, France, and the Vatican also recognize Palestinian statehood, but with restrictions, and are not legally bound to take any practical steps as a result of granting recognition.

“Regarding the issue of a passport under the name Palestine State, we are about to proceed to the passport replacement and the issuance of a new passport within one year or even less”.

The Greek parliament is expected to recognise Palestine as a state Tuesday (22 December). When asked after a meeting on Monday with Abbas on the full recognition, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said “Greece will make the necessary steps when the right time arrives”.

In October 2014, Britain’s House of Commons adopted a non-binding resolution, urging the government to recognize the state of Palestine.

The Palestinian Authority considers over 130 countries to have recognised Palestine as a state, although the number is disputed and several recognitions by what are now European Union member states date back to the Soviet era.

Abbas is in Greece for a two-day visit.

“Greece is actively committed to promote a two-state solution that guarantees the establishment of a viable, unified, independent and sovereign Palestinian State based on the 1967 borders with east Jerusalem as its capital”, Mr. Tsipras said after the meeting with Mr. Abbas.