Greece votes to recognize Palestinian state

The Greek parliament has voted unanimously in favour of formally recognizing the state of Palestine during an official visit by Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas to Athens.

The resolution is symbolic in nature and doesn’t pave the way towards an official recognition of the Palestinian state. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras declined to say when Greece could adopt the parliamentary resolution, only saying that it will take the necessary steps to recognize Palestine “when the time is right.”

Following talks with Tsipras, Abbas said that his national authority will start issuing passports under the name State of Palestine in 2016. At the moment all documents are issued under the name ‘The Palestinian Authority.’

"We have already changed all documents issued by ministries and public services and they now bear the name ‘State of Palestine,’”Abbas said during a press conference with Tsipras on Monday.

“We no longer accept from anybody to use the name ‘The Palestinian Authority.’"

Tsipras said that the term ‘Palestine’ will from now on be used in all Greek public documents.

“Greece is actively committed to promoting 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,” Tsipras said. “A state that will coexist peacefully and securely with Israel.”

The Greek left-wing leader is attempting to strike a balance between the country’s improved relations with Israel and his Syriza party’s long-held position of support for a Palestinian state.