Palestine bids for UN membership

Palestine has filed a request for a full membership in the United Nations, despite warnings from Israel that such a unilateral move would undermine further talks on Middle East settlement, the press service of the UN reports.

Mahmoud Abbas, the head of Palestine, then gave a speech at the UN General Assembly session.

Ban Ki-moon will pass the application of Palestinians to the UN Security Council in the next few days. If it is rejected by one country or a permanent member vetoes the decision, then the General Assembly will hold a voting on granting the status of a state-observer to Palestine. This will allow the state to participate in many international forums and appeal to the International Criminal Court.