French MPs voted in favour of recognising a state of Palestine in a parliamentary session today.

The motion, which demands the French government recognise the state of Palestine, was passed by 339 votes to 151. It was non-binding and will have no real diplomatic effect. However, it echoes the symbolic votes by parliaments in the UK, Sweden, Spain and Ireland.

The motion was raised by President Francois Hollande’s socialist party and backed by the left wing parties, as well as some conservative ones.

The text of the resolution stated that there is an “urgent necessity to reach a definitive resolution to the conflict.”