The European Parliament recognizes the "legitimate demand" of Palestine to become a member state of the United Nations but believes that that statehood should result from direct negotiations.
“Direct negotiations leading to a two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians should be resumed without delay and according to the deadlines called for by the Quartet, in order to overcome the unacceptable status quo," the parliament said in a resolution adopted Thursday in Strasbourg, France.
"To be effective, the establishment of a viable Palestinian state must be the outcome of a mutual and comprehensive peace agreement," European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek said after the vote.
He said the status quo "is not a viable option." "The time for peace is now,” he added, referring to the "tremendous" changes brought by the Arab Spring.
"The right of Palestinians to self-determination and to have their own state is unquestionable, as is the right of Israel to exist within safe borders," the resolution, which was voted by a show of hands, said.
The EU parliament reiterated its "strong support for the two-state solution on the basis of the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as capital of both states, with the State of Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable State of Palestine living side by side in peace and security."
"No changes to the pre-1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties should be accepted," it added.
The parliament called on the EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton and the member states to find a common EU position on the Palestinian request and to avoid divisions among them.
MEPs also underlined that member states and the international community should reconfirm their strong commitment to the security of the Israel.
The assembly called on the Israeli government "to stop all construction and extension of settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem" and said rocket attacks on Israel from the Gaza Strip "should cease" and a permanent truce should be agreed.
The resolution was tabled by four political groups: the Christian-Democrats, the European Greens, the European Socialists, the Liberals and the European Left.