Palestinians officially decide to pursue statehood with UN bid

The Palestinians have officially decided to request the United Nations in September to recognize a Palestinian state within 1967 borders. The decision was reached at the end of a Palestinian leadership conference that was gathered by PA President Mahmoud Abbas in his office in Ramallah.

The Palestinian leadership stressed that the measure will encourage negotiations with a substantial basis, and urged the international community to support it. (Elior Levy, Ynet's Palestinian affairs correspondent)