Tooting MP Sadiq Khan has backed Ed Miliband saying he’s ‘proud’ to be a part of the Labour Party under his leadership.
Mr Khan’s comments came after he joined a majority of Labour MPs and voted in favour of Palestinian recognition following a House of Commons debate on the issue last night.
The motion being debated was tabled by Labour MP Grahame Morris, with an amendment by former Labour Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw.
The full motion stated: “That this House believes that the government should recognise the state of Palestine alongside the state of Israel as a contribution to securing a negotiated two-state solution.”
The motion was accepted in the house by 274 votes in favour to 12 against, and of those 274 votes in favour, 192 were from Labour MPs.
Mr Khan said: “Palestinian statehood is not a gift to be given but a right to be recognised and that is why since 2011 Labour has supported Palestinian recognition at the United Nations.
“I am proud to be part of a Labour Party, under the leadership of Ed Miliband, who believes in recognising Palestine.
“It is a disappointing that the Tory-led government under David Cameron and Nick Clegg’s leadership disagree.
“I have been consistent in my support for the principle of recognising Palestinian statehood.
“We also need to achieve a comprehensive negotiated two-state solution, and it is why I was pleased to have the opportunity to support the principle of Palestinian statehood in Parliament.”
The motion does not commit to immediate recognition of Palestine but it does reaffirm Labour’s support for the principle of recognising Palestinian statehood.
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