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    June 26, 2011

Palestinians to Seek UN Recognition in September

   VOA News
   (Left): An Israeli youth waves a national flag during a rally in the
   coastal city of Ashkelon showing solidarity with the country's armed
   forces (Right): Israeli Arabs carry a Palestinian flag during a rally
   to commemorate the October 2000 riots which lef
   Photo: Reuters

   The Palestinian Authority says it will go to the United Nations in
   September and ask for recognition of an independent state in the West
   Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem, a move opposed by both Israel and
   the United States.
   The official Palestinian news agency (WAFA) said Sunday that leaders in
   Ramallah confirmed they will seek recognition based on pre-1967
   borders, membership in the United Nations and acknowledgment of the
   right to self-determination in accordance with the U.N. charter.
   Israel has denounced the Palestinian U.N. initiative, charging it would
   shatter efforts to reach a negotiated settlement to the Mideast
   conflict. The U.S., Germany and Italy have also expressed reservations.
   Many Palestinians, however, claim the move would strengthen efforts to
   renew negotiations with Israel based on the Arab Peace Initiative, the
   Mideast Quartet decisions as well as U.S. President Barack Obama's
   Mideast vision which he recently outlined.
   About 100 nations have already recognized a Palestinian state in one
   form or another and a formal vote for recognition at the U.N. General
   Assembly would be a diplomatic victory. But only the U.N. Security
   Council has the legal power to add nations to the world body.

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