Italian MPs have backed a non-binding resolution that urges the government to recognise Palestine as a state.<br /><br /> Italy’s Chamber of Deputies voted by 300 to 45 to pass the motion presented by Prime Minister Matteo Renzi’s Democratic Party.<br /><br /> But they failed to back a move supported by the left wing Left Ecology and Liberty party that would have “fully and formally recognised the Palestinian State.”<br /><br /> While most developing countries recognise Palestine as a state, most Western European nations do not, supporting the Israeli and US positions that an independent Palestinian state should emerge from negotiations with Israel.<br /><br /> Ireland, Britain and France have held similar parliamentary votes on the status of Palestine in recent months. Sweden went further, officially recognising Palestine. <br /><br /> Earlier, pro-Palestinians activists clashed with Israeli troops in the West Bank town of Bilin. Hundreds of Palestinians protesters gathered to mark the 10th anniversary of weekly demonstration against
