REYKJAVIK, Iceland, Dec. 1 (UPI) -- The Icelandic parliament has passed a resolution recognizing Palestine as a sovereign state.
The Althing voted Tuesday on the proposal by Minister for Foreign Affairs Ossur Skarphedinsson, which specifically recognizes the pre-1967 borders of the West Bank and Gaza, IceNews reported. The resolution passed with 38 votes in favor and 13 abstentions.
Iceland is the first western European country to recognize the Palestinian state. The Palestinian Authority has asked the United Nations for recognition.
The resolution called on Israel and the Palestinians to "reconcile through the means of peace agreements on the basis of international law and resolutions of the United Nations, including the mutual recognition of the State of Israel and the State of Palestine."
