Securing peace in the Middle East is a key foreign policy for Labour, the party’s election manifesto has revealed.

Launched in Manchester on Monday morning, the policy document outlines Labour’s commitment to “a comprehensive two-state solution” for Israel and the Palestinians.

The manifesto highlights the desire for a “secure Israel alongside a viable and independent state of Palestine”.

It states: “Peace and security in the Middle East are one of Labour’s most important foreign policy objectives.

“There can be no military solution to this conflict and all sides must avoid taking action that would make peace harder to achieve. Labour will continue to press for an immediate return to meaningful negotiations leading to a diplomatic resolution.”

Labour MPs voted to call on the government to recognise an independent Palestine in a historic House of Commons vote last October.

But the 85-page policy document appears to stop short of pledging to take such action immediately if Labour is in government next month.

Last Friday party leader Ed Miliband reinforced his backing for the Commons vote but said he would “not speculate” about when recognition of Palestine should take place. “That is a judgement we would have to take at the time," he said.

The manifesto also pledges a “zero-tolerance approach to hate crime, such as antisemitism and Islamophobia.

“We will challenge prejudice before it grows, whether in schools, universities or on social media. And we will strengthen the law on disability, homophobic, and transphobic hate crime.”