Switzerland rejected socialists' proposal to recognize Palestine

On Tuesday, June 4, the Swiss House of Representatives rejected the Social Democratic Party's postulate to recognize Palestine as an independent state.

131 members supported this decision, 61 were in favor of recognition of Palestine, and two abstained, swissinfo.ch reports.

Only the Social Democratic Party and the Greens voted for recognition of Palestine.

Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said his country continues to support a two-state solution in which Israel and Palestine could exist side by side within recognized borders. However, the Federal Council does not believe that the time has come to recognize Palestine.