Israel criticises Greek parliament’s vote for Palestinian recognition

MARK WEISS in Jerusalem

Israel has criticised the decision by the Greek parliament to recognise an independent Palestinian state as Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas announced plans to print "state of Palestine" on the passports it issues its residents.

Mr Abbas was in Athens Tuesday on a two-day official visit when Greek MP’s voted unanimously to recognise the state of Palestine in a nonbinding parliamentary vote.

Israel's deputy foreign minister Tzipi Hotovely criticised the vote saying that Mr Abbas and the Palestinian Authority are continuing to choose unilateral steps to receive "recognition that has no practical significance".

“Instead of Abbas ending incitement and funding terrorism, he goes on a twisted path that will lead him nowhere,” she said.

The move by the Greek parliament follows similar decisions adopted by other European parliaments recognising an independent Palestinian state, including Ireland, Britain and France.

Mr Abbas welcomed the vote and said soon the title “state of Palestine” will be added to Palestinian passports.

"Regarding the issue of a passport under the name State of Palestine, we are about to proceed to the passport replacement and the issuance of a new passport within one year or less. We have already changed all documents issued by ministries and public services and they now bear the name state of Palestine. We no longer accept the use of the name Palestinian Authority from anybody," Abbas told a joint news conference in Athens, after meeting with Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras.

Mr Tsipras' leftist-led government is trying to balance improved bilateral relations with Israel with his party's long-standing support for Palestinian statehood. He said Greece will "judge the right time" for recognising a state of Palestine, taking into account its "brotherly relations with the Arab people and ties of cooperation with Israel".

“We must underline the imperative need to begin a substantial, a credible peace process but with a clear political target. A process that will give again hope to the Palestinian people, but also to the Israeli people, for a better future, for a peaceful coexistence of two peoples in the same region,” Mr Tsipras said.

Tsipras visited Israel last month, meeting with prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu and with Mr Abbas in Ramallah.

He called for an end to Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank and respect for the status quo for holy sites.

Tsipras stressed that Greece is interested in using its good relations with both sides to play a role in the diplomatic process. “Greece can play this role of a bridge in the direction of a just and viable solution to the Palestine issue,” he said.

In the past, Athens has offered to host Israel-Palestinian talks on one of the Greek islands.