PA president, dismissing US opposition, says he will seek non-member status in United Nations at the upcoming General Assembly; says he is against armed uprisings, whether "against the occupation or against the PA."
By JPOST.COM STAFFPA President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah 370 (R)(photo credit: REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman)
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday announced his intention to request an upgrade for the PA's United Nations status on September 27th.“When we go to the UN, we will say we are a state under occupation," Ma'an News Agency quoted Abbas as saying.Speaking at a news conference in Ramallah, Abbas dismissed the United States' opposition to the UN bid: "We have 133 states who recognize a Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital, in addition to dozens of other countries with whom we have good relations and diplomatic representation,” he said, according to Ma'an.Attempts to improve Palestinian standing at the United Nations last year proved fruitless due to political opposition.Abbas also criticized Israel for not ceding to Palestinian preconditions for the renewal of negotiations such as ending settlement activity.In his speech, Abbas also ruled out successful reconciliation with Hamas before elections, saying that “reconciliation is elections.”Abbas also denounced talk of a possible third Intifada, saying that he was against armed uprisings of all kinds.“I am against armed uprisings. I am against opening fire because I know how the consequences of doing so affect our people. I am pro-peaceful popular demonstrations whether they are against the occupation or against the PA,” he said.A spate of recent social protests saw Palestinians demanding a lower cost of living.
