Palestinian officials announced that the president planned to seek an upgraded observer status at the United Nations next month, despite American and Israeli threats of financial and diplomatic retaliation.

“We will go to the UN regardless of any threats,” said a senior member of Abbas’ movement, Tawfik Tirawi.

Building on last year’s recognition at the UN cultural agency, UNESCO, the Palestinians will seek the ‘non-member state’ status in the UN General Assembly. The 193 member assembly contains several developing nations that are sympathetic to the Palestinian cause. Palestinian officials have said that they are expecting a “quality majority” which would include European countries such as Britain and Germany, who have been considerate of the Palestinian struggle.

A Palestinian official confirmed that President Mahmoud Abbas will formally submit the request to the General Assembly on November 15 or November 29.

Though Israel had no formal response to the latest Palestinian intentions, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Yigal Palmor warned,

“The Palestinians are openly declaring their intention to use the recognition as a weapon in an ever continuing diplomatic war they intend to wage against Israel”

“If they are going to wage a legal and diplomatic war against Israel, what are the odds of returning to the negotiating table?”

President Abbas responded to Israel’s sceptisism by outlining that he would be ready to resume talks following the result of the UN vote.