The European Parliament has thrown its support behind a growing international movement to officially recognize Palestinian statehood ahead of a debate on the issue at the United Nations.
The European parliament stopped short of full recognition of a Palestinian state instead voting on recognition of a state 'in principle'.
The results were overwhelming, with 498 parliamentarians in favor and 88 against.
"Finally this parliament has taken a position and that clearly sends a signal to the outside world that Europe is back in this important matter," Belgian member of European Parliament Guy Verhofstadt said.
Europe's vote is a political gesture rather than legislation with practical ramifications. But the E.U. is Israel's largest trading partner and the Israeli government is sensitive to any change in sentiment.
Since the collapse of U.S. sponsored peace talks in April some E.U. members have become increasingly frustrated with Israel which is pressing on with the construction of settlement in territory claimed by Palestinians as part of a future state.
The vote follows Sweden's decision in October to recognize Palestine, as well as non-binding votes in favor of recognition by the parliaments of Britain, France, Ireland and Spain.
Though some countries had resisted a vote at the E.U. level.
"There are many member states that felt it was for individual member states and not for the European Parliament to decide, but we have now voted and we have to be clear that if we are to achieve a long-standing sustainable peace all parties to this conflict have to play their role," UK member of European Parliament Syed Kamall said. "Fatah have to tackle their corruption, Hamas have to renounce their terrorism and the Israeli's and the Netanyahu government have to rein back the settlements and re-introduce the 1967 borders."
The Israeli government, along with Washington, has been critical of the vote. They argue that a lasting peace deal can only be secured through negotiation.