French MPs vote to recognise Palestinian state

The French parliament has voted in favour of recognising the state of Palestine by a large majority.

MPs voted 339 in favour and151 against.

Israel had earlier urged the French parliament to vote against the resolution.

It is a symbolic move and follows similar votes in Britain, Spain and Ireland.

France’s government is pushing to revive Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

Many European countries are frustrated with the stalemate in peace talks, and with the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza.