French parliament to vote on symbolic resolution favoring recognition of Palestinian state

PARIS – France's governing Socialists say the National Assembly will vote this month on a largely symbolic resolution in favor of recognizing a Palestinian state, hoping it could help end the decades-long conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.

Approval by the lower and more powerful chamber of parliament would send a signal to President Francois Hollande's Socialist government, which has final say.

An official with the Socialist group at the Assembly said Wednesday that the vote has been scheduled for Nov. 28. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

Last month, British lawmakers voted in favor of a similar, symbolic vote and Sweden became the biggest Western European country to outright recognize a Palestinian state — prompting a protest from Israel.