Palestinian Statehood Efforts to Resume

After the November elections

Nearly a year after its failed bid to win United Nations recognition as an independent state, the Palestinian Authority is preparing to try again—but not until after the November presidential elections in the United States, chief negotiator Saeb Erakat said Thursday.

But unlike last year's attempt, which stalled in the United Nations Security Council, the Palestinian Authority will this time seek non-member observer status, one step up from its current status as a permanent observer.

Palestinian Authority leaders say they are working with as many as 170 nations to put together the wording of a formal draft of a resolution that would likely be submitted a few weeks after Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas formally announces the effort to United Nations General Assembly. That is expected to happen September 27.