PA President Mahmoud Abbas Addresses the UN Requesting Non-Member State Observer Status

In his speech, Abbas outlines how the Palestinian bid to the UN does not seek to delegitimize Israel, rather they are seeking to legitimize Palestine. He states, “We did not come here to add further complications to the peace process, which Israel’s policies have thrown into the intensive care unit; rather we came to launch a final serious attempt to achieve peace.” Abbas secures the status of “non-Member observer status,” the same diplomatic category as the Vatican. Palestinians hope their status will provide new leverage in their dealings with Israel. The US takes the view that this act, is a “unilateral” act not conducive to enhancing negotiations between the parties.