MOSCOW, October 14 (RIA Novosti) - The Foreign Ministry of Israel criticized the actions of the UK House of Commons, which backed a motion to recognize Palestine as a sovereign state, and said that the premature recognition of a Palestinian state would not contribute to the establishment of long-term peace in the region, the Jerusalem Post reported Tuesday.
"Premature international recognition sends a troubling message to the Palestinian leadership that they can evade the tough choices that both sides have to make, and actually undermines the chances to reach a real peace… Recognition of a Palestinian state should be the result of a successful conclusion of direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority," the Jerusalem Post quoted a statement released by the Israeli Embassy in London.
Israel argues that the only possible way to restore peace in the region is to continue negotiations between Israel and Palestinians.
"The route to Palestinian statehood runs through the negotiating room," a communique says.
On Monday, 274 British MPs voted in favor and 12 voted against the motion, which said that "this House believes that the Government should recognize the state of Palestine alongside the state of Israel."
Palestinians seek the creation of an independent state on the territories of the West Bank in East Jerusalem, partially occupied by Israel, as well as on the Gaza Strip territory controlled by Hamas militants. Palestine designated Jerusalem as its capital and calls on Israel to withdraw from the Palestinian territories it took after the 1967 war.
By September 2013, the Palestinian State has been recognized by 134 UN member states, including Russia. However, most European Union members and the United States have not given their official recognition. Some EU members such as Hungary, Poland and Slovakia recognized the Palestinian State before joining the bloc.
