Palestinians push for UN membership

The Palestinians have said they are sounding out members of the UN Security Council on a new resolution demanding a halt to Israeli settlement building and on prospects for becoming a full member of the United Nations.

Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour said that he met with about half the 15-member council in the last 10 days and expects to meet the rest in the next week. He said he will then report back to an Arab ministerial committee which will decide on next steps.

Mansour announced the new Palestinian initiatives ahead of an informal meeting of the UN Security Council on “Illegal Israeli Settlements: Obstacles to Peace and the Two-State Solution.” It was organised by five non-permanent council members Angola, Malaysia, Venezuela, Senegal and Egypt.