Palestinian leader in historic UN state bid

Mr Abbas, the Palestinian president

Palestinian leader in historic UN state bid

The Palestinian president has made an impassioned plea for full membership of United Nations, saying it is a "moment of truth" for his people.

He said Jewish settlements in the West Bank were blocking the movement to peace and said Palestinian people would continue their "peaceful, popular resistance" as they aim to end decades of occupation.

Mr Abbas, who earlier delivered his formal application for UN membership to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, warned that the Palestinian authority could collapse if Israel continues building settlements on lands claimed by the Palestinians.

"Ethnic cleansing"

He criticised Israel's policy of what he called "ethnic cleansing", which he said had pushed Palestinians away from their ancestral home with continued raids, arrests and killings.

He said: "The time has come for our men, women and children to live normal lives; for them to be able to sleep without waiting for the worst that the next day will bring; for mothers to be assured that their children will return home without fear of being killed, arrested or humiliated."

Speaking after Mr Abbas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was extending his hand to Palestinians, "with whom we seek a just and lasting peace".

"Anchored in security"

He said Isreal had been "singled out for condemnation" and that while he and Isreal wanted peace with the Palestinian people, peace must be "anchored in security".

The leaders were speaking hours after a Palestinian man was shot dead in a clash with Israeli soldiers and settlers in the West Bank.

It happened when some 200 settlers reportedly burned and uprooted trees near the village of Qusra.
There have been rallies in several towns to show support for Palestine's push for statehood.

Mr Abbas wants this to include areas of Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East War, including West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem.

The issue has divided the international community, with Israel and the US strongly opposed and France trying to seek a compromise.

The US is set to block the bid for UN membership with a veto at the UN Security Council.

US President Barack Obama's administration has said Palestine should only become a state through negotiations.

Iheanacho (with agency reports)