Palestinians reject Netanyahu’s call to drop UN initiative

Palestinians have rejected a call by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt their request for the status of non-member observer state for Palestine at the United Nations, a senior official said

Acting Palestinian Authority (PA) Chief Mahmoud Abbas plans to ask the UN General Assembly for a non-member state status in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem, the territories Israel captured in the 1967 war.

Abbas spokesman Nabil Abu Rdainah said on Monday that the PA will press ahead with its request, which the Palestinians look certain to win in the face of Israeli and US objection to the move.

“When we return from the U.N. General Assembly and are a non-member state based on 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital, the way to direct negotiations will be open to achieve security and stability on this basis,” Abu Rdainah said.

Netanyahu has warned Abbas against making the request at the world body.

The observer state status will grant Palestinians access to bodies such as the International Criminal Court, where they could file complaints against Israel.

On October 31, 2011, the UNESCO voted strongly in favor of membership for Palestinians. Of the 173 members voting, 107 were in favor, 14 opposed and 52 abstained.