In symbolic vote, UK MPs back recognition of Palestinian state

British Parliamentarians have voted in favor of recognizing Palestine as a state in a move that will not alter the government's stance on the issue, but which carries symbolic value for Palestinians in their pursuit of international recognition.

The U.K. does not classify Palestine as a state, but says it could do so at any time if it believed it would help peace efforts between the Palestinians and Israel.

David Cameron, the UK prime minister, abstained from the vote, which was called by an opposition member of Parliament, after Cameron's spokesman earlier said that foreign policy would not be affected whatever the outcome.

But the vote was closely watched by Palestinian and Israeli authorities who are seeking to gauge European countries' readiness to act on Palestinian hopes for unilateral recognition by U.N. member states.

The final motion, which passed by 274 votes to 12 at the House of Commons, the U.K.'s lower house of parliament, stated "that this house believes that the government should recognize the state of Palestine alongside the state of Israel as a contribution to securing a negotiated two-state solution."

The vote comes just as Sweden's new center-left government is set to officially recognize Palestine. Israel's government condemned the move, saying an independent Palestine can only be achieved through negotiations.

The U.K. vote came as violence flared in East Jerusalem when hundreds of Israeli police forces raided the Al-Aqsa mosque compound and clashed with Palestinian worshippers.

Protesters in East Jerusalem have fought almost nightly with Israeli security forces in recent days. 

The unrest has been fueled by a number of factors, including the murder of Palestinian teenager Mohammed Abu Khdair and the recent war in Gaza.

Wire services