Palestinians to Seek UN Endorsement of Independence

http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-11-15-voa9.cfm

Palestinians to Seek UN Endorsement of Independence
By VOA News 15 November 2009

A Palestinian official says the Palestinian Authority is planning to ask the United Nations to endorse its quest for independence without Israel's consent.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, right, consults with his aide Saeb Erekat, left, during a press conference (File)

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat told Israel's Army Radio Sunday that Palestinians are losing hope they can achieve their desires through peace talks with Israel. Representatives of Israel and the Palestinian Authority have not held peace talks since last December.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has demanded that Israel halt all settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem before talks can resume. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused these demands.

Erekat did not say when Palestinians would go to the United Nations to make the request, only revealing that they would go when they are fully prepared. He said they would consult the U.S. and other international leaders before going to the U.N. Security Council.

On Saturday, former U.S. President Bill Clinton called on Israel and Palestinians to put aside their differences and move toward peace.

Mr. Clinton made the remarks at a memorial center dedicated to the late Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in Tel Aviv. Mr. Rabin was assassinated in November of 1995 by a Jewish extremist opposed to his efforts to make peace with the Palestinians.

As president, Mr. Clinton worked closely with Mr. Rabin and the late Palestinian leader Yassir Arafat on peace negotiations during the 1990s. The Israeli and Palestinian leaders won the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.