Palestinians to appeal to UNSC on Israeli settlement

Palestinians to appeal to UNSC on Israeli settlement
Wed Nov 13, 2013 11:09:31

Palestinians have threatened to appeal to the UN Security Council over the Israeli regime's quickening settlement drive in the occupied West Bank and to step up efforts to join UN agencies.

"In the coming hours, the Palestinian leadership is going to consider appealing to the UN Security Council and seeking membership of international organizations if Israel does not reverse its latest settlement moves," Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat told AFP on Tuesday.

The Israeli regime is to build a "record" 20,000 new settler homes in the occupied West Bank, settlement watchdog Peace Now said earlier Tuesday, despite US and Palestinian warnings that such moves threaten peace talks.

The Palestinians won admission to the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in October 2011, becoming the agency's 195th member when its general assembly voted 107-14 in favor of the membership bid.

The United States says the Palestinians must reach a peace agreement with Israel before they can become full members of international organizations.

Responding to reports that Israel issued tenders for 20,000 more settlement homes in the West Bank, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said peace talks would end if Israel does not cancel the new settlement tenders.

NTJ/BA

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