Erekat addresses PNC meeting in Jordan

The Palestinian leadership in Ramallah is determined to seek full UN membership even if Israel proposes a counteroffer because the bid is not related to negotiations, a PLO official said Tuesday. "The Palestinian decision is to head to the UN Security Council and table the Palestinian request for a membership and there will not be a retreat even if Israel proposed any initiatives," Saeb Erekat told a Palestinian National Council committee. If America vetos the application, the PA leadership will take an appropriate decision, Erekat said at the meeting at the PNC headquarters in Amman, Jordan, where he briefed officials on the UN team's plans. Erekat added that there were 125 countries around the world that already recognize the Palestinian state and it is expected that 150 countries will support the request to join the UN during the General Assembly meeting. Erekat added that the Palestinian side does not want to confront Israel or the United States but it will demand its rights after Israel tossed aside international resolutions. He also said the US told the Palestinians not to go to the UN and instead to return to negotiations, but they have nothing to offer the Palestinians, "and we don't want confrontation with you nor for you to confront us." Erekat stressed that despite the threats, including some from American lawmakers to cut aid, the Palestinians informed the US that they will be going to the Security Council for full membership. Erekat added that after the vote and the acceptance of Palestine as member of the United Nations, it will become a state under occupation. Israel, the occupying power, will bear responsibility of health, education, and security. UN member states will help the State of Palestine rid itself of the occupation, he added.