Palestinians officially launch statehood campaign

The Palestinians on Thursday officially launched their campaign to join the United Nations as a full member state. They said they would stage a series of peaceful events in the run-up to the annual gathering of the UN General Assembly later this month. Some 100 Palestinian officials and activists gathered at the UN offices in Ramallah for a short ceremony, where they announced their plans in a letter addressed to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The letter urges Ban to add his moral voice in support of the Palestinian people. The Palestinians have decided to turn to the UN to recognize their independence, after two decades of unsuccessful peace efforts with Israel. The latest round of talks broke down a year ago. The campaign seeks recognition of an independent Palestine in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem.