A WORCESTERSHIRE MP has refused to back a commons motion on recognising Palestine as a state - calling it "gesture politics".

Sir Peter Luff, who represents Mid-Worcestershire, abstained in the parliamentary vote which was passed 274-12 last night.

The Conservative said it made "no demand on Hamas to give up its rocket attacks on Israel" and could be misinterpreted by other nations.

His views have been criticised by the Worcester Palestine Friendship, which says it is "disappointed" with his stance.

Mr Luff said: "Israel’s response to this year’s rocket attacks by Hamas was disproportionate and lost it much international support.

"The Israeli government continues to impose unreasonable restrictions on Palestinians and to build massive illegal settlements on Palestinian land.

"In my view to vote for an unqualified recognition of Palestine and which makes no distinction between the very different conditions in the three areas of Palestine - the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza - is simply a gesture.

"And it is one that will be interpreted very differently, and not necessarily helpfully by the two sides to the conflict."

He added: "In the debate over the Israel-Palestine question we are always – wrongly - forced to choose one side or the other.

"Any criticism of one is taken as evidence that you side with the other - I refuse to make this bogus and damaging choice.

"There are decent and misguided people on both sides, but the vast majority of both Israelis and Palestinians want to live in peaceful co-existence.

"In the UK we must not make gestures that risk being misunderstood, but rather work to make this desire a reality.

"What is needed is for Israel to end settlement construction immediately, relax many of the restrictions it imposes on both the West Bank and Gaza, and to show real commitment to the two state solution, which it is slowly strangling by its present policies.

"Those in the Palestinian community who deny the right of Israel to exist must likewise be forced to reconsider and not to be rewarded for their violence."

Colin Archer, from the Worcester Palestine Friendship, said: "I am pleased it was passed but disappointed with Peter Luff's decision."

The vote was a symbolic one because it is not binding on the UK Government, and less than half of all MPs took part.

Ministers abstained on the vote, on a motion put forward by Labour MP Grahame Morris and amended by former Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.

Mr Luff's stance differed to Worcester MP Robin Walker, who said backing the recognition of Palestine as a state was the right thing to do.

Mr Walker was prevented from taking part in the vote because he is a Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS), to environment secretary Liz Truss, and is barred from taking part in backbench motions.

Councillor Neil Laurenson, from Worcester's Stop the War Coalition, said: "Peter Luff should talk to Robin Walker, in my view."