Iceland becomes first western nation to recognise Palestine as an independent state

Iceland has become the first western nation to recognise Palestine as an independent state, after a vote in the Palestinian parliament passed with a narrow majority.

Iceland’s foreign minister Ossur Skarphedinsson claims that the vote, which recognsises Palestine as an “independent and sovereign state” based on the borders prior to the 1967 Six Day War, is a step towards wider recognition of Palestinian independence. He will discuss the results with the other Nordic countries before issuing a formal statement.

The parliament’s resolution coincided with the UN’s annual day of solidarity with the Palestinian people, and also calls upon Israel and Palestine to seek a peaceful solution to their problems. It also recognises the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) as the legal authority for the Palestinian state.