The Palestinian Authority will not back down from its bid for a nonmember seat at the United Nations, further frustrating the Obama administration’s efforts to guide Israel and Palestinians through peace negotiations.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called President Obama on Sunday to tell him that he would still seek status as an observer state after a bid for full recognition failed last year. If approved, the measure would grant Palestinians a U.N. presence similar to the Vatican’s and, more crucially, implicitly recognize Palestinian statehood. Approval might also mean access to the International Criminal Court in the Hague, where Palestinians could presumably file complaints against Israel.
The White House responded that it still opposes Abbas’ efforts and continues to believe that direct negotiations between Israel and Palestinians are the surest route to a peaceful two-state solution.