Palestinians to Seek Statehood Approval in September, Abbas Says

The Palestinians will seek the recognition of the United Nations for an independent state in September, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said.

While UN Security Council permission for a Palestinian state might be blocked by veto-wielding permanent members such as the U.S., approval by the UN General Assembly would be legally binding, Abbas said in an interview with Al Arabiya television today. Israel still might try to block recognition by lobbying the U.S. Congress, he said.