PA expects November U.N. statehood vote

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RAMALLAH, West Bank, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- The Palestinian Authority expects the U.N. General Assembly to vote Nov. 29 on its application for non-member status in the United Nations, an official said.

Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the Palestinian Liberation Organization executive committee, said Friday in Ramallah that although the P.A. faced "direct threats" against its bid for statehood, she expected 150 countries to vote in favor of its application, The Jerusalem Post reported Sunday.

Ashrawi echoed P.A. President Mahmoud Abbas' accusation that Israel was sabotaging the peace process by moving forward with settlement construction and the destruction of Palestinian homes.

She said by granting Palestinians U.N. statehood, it would give Palestinians access to U.N. agencies that could help them confront Israel.

The Nov. 29 vote would coincide with the anniversary of the U.N. Partition Plan for Palestine and the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinians, The Post reported.