Vote at France's lower house is non-binding, but urges the government 'to recognize the state of Palestine in view of reaching a definitive settlement to the conflict.'

France's lower house of Parliament has voted Tuesday to urge the government to recognize a Palestinian state, in the hope that speeds up peace efforts after decades of conflict.

The vote, approved with 339 votes to 151, is non-binding. But it is a symbolic boost for the Palestinians, amid growing support in Europe for two states. The measure asks the government "to recognize the state of Palestine in view of reaching a definitive settlement to the conflict.

On October 30, Sweden's government became the first western European nation in the EU to recognize Palestinian statehood. Since then, lawmakers in Britain, Spain and Ireland have approved non-binding motions urging recognition.

Last week members of the European Parliament began debating whether they can agree on a common approach for the European Union's 28 member states