Irish vote urges recognition of Palestinian state

DUBLIN — Lawmakers have passed a non-binding resolution urging Ireland to recognize Palestinian statehood, but the government says it would take that step only in coordination with European Union partners.

Tuesday night’s unanimous vote in Ireland’s lower house of parliament followed lawmakers’ passage of similarly aspirational motions in Britain, Spain and France.

Some news reports Wednesday misinterpreted the Irish vote as a government decision to recognize Palestinian statehood.

But in a statement to The Associated Press, the  says Ireland’s position is unchanged. While government lawmakers did support the motion’s aspirations, it said, unilateral action by Ireland would undermine wider efforts begun last month in Brussels to forge a possible joint EU position on Palestinian statehood.

Sweden officially recognized Palestinian statehood Oct. 30, igniting an EU-wide debate.