The Greek Parliament passed a non-binding symbolic declaration calling for recognition of Palestinian statehood. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

JNS.org – The Greek Parliament has become the latest European legislative body to pass a non-binding symbolic declaration calling for recognition of Palestinian statehood.

The move by Greek lawmakers came amid a visit by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely condemned the move by Abbas to gain unilateral international recognition, saying that it has “no practical significance.”

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

In spite of the vote, relations between Israel and Greece remain strong following an agreement on bilateral cooperation in various industries and Greece’s refusal to implement the European Union’s guidelines to label Israeli products from Judea and Samaria, the Golan Heights, and eastern Jerusalem.

Next month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet twice with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. The two leaders will meet in Jerusalem as well as a trilateral summit in Cyprus with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades to discuss energy, trade and security issues.