Obama vows to veto Palestine’s UN bid
US President Barack Obama tells Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas he plans veto his bid for UN membership, as he tried to persuade him to drop the plans.
The Palestinian leader however reacted by pledging to press ahead during a meeting with the US president, the subsequently White House said.
The US president made his position clear to both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Abbas during meetings late on Wednesday.
"We would have to oppose any action at the UN Security Council including, if necessary, vetoing," White House national Security Council spokesman Ben Rhodes said after Obama met Abbas.
Netanyahu told reporters that Obama deserved a "badge of honour" for his defence of Israel.
However, senior Palestinian negotiator Nabil Shaath argued that Palestinian UN membership was "morally, legally and politically acceptable in every way".
French Leader Nicholas Sarkozy urged a compromise, suggesting the General Assembly give the Palestinians enhanced status as a non-member state to allow a clear timeline for talks - a month to start negotiations, six months to deal with borders and security and a year to finalise a "definitive agreement".
Sarkozy also warned that a veto could spark another cycle of violence in the region.
A vote on enhanced status - enjoyed by others such as the Vatican - would not require a Security Council recommendation but a simple majority in the General Assembly, where no veto is possible.
Diplomatic efforts for Palestinian UN membership have intensified, with Abbas preparing to submit a written application to Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in New York on Friday.
If Ban approves the request, the UN’s Security Council will examine it and vote on it.
In order to pass, the request would need the backing of nine out of the 15 council members – but a veto from a permanent member could shut down the request.
Obama had earlier told the General Assembly: "Peace will not come through statements and resolutions at the UN.
"There is no short cut to the end of a conflict that has endured for decades.
"Ultimately, it is Israelis and Palestinians - not us - who must reach agreement on the issues that divide them: on borders and security; on refugees and Jerusalem."
Palestinians say their bid for statehood has been inspired by the Arab Spring, and is the result of years of failed peace talks.
In the West Bank on Wednesday, schools and government offices were shut to allow for demonstrations backing the UN membership bid in Ramallah, Bethlehem, Nablus and Hebron.
While UN recognition would have largely symbolic value, the Palestinians argue it would strengthen their hand in peace talks.
