France Will Vote for Palestinian Statehood at UN

Momentum is building behind Palestine's latest push for UN statehood. France will vote in favor of a resolution recognizing Palestine as a nonmember observer state this week, the country's foreign minister told parliament today, in a move the AP sees as timed to convince other European states to do the same. "But, but, but, but, but—but at the same time, madame and monsieur lawmakers, we must show in this case a lot of lucidity," the foreign minister warned, because the vote comes "at a very delicate moment."

Mahmoud Abbas says he intends to introduce the resolution on Thursday, and France might not be the only major power supporting it. Britain is also prepared to vote yes, if Palestine promises not to use its newfound status to pursue war crime proceedings against Israel, the Guardian reports. The US, meanwhile, is trying to use procedural tricks to prevent the resolution from ever reaching the floor, and leaning on key countries to vote no if it does, a senior official tell the Jerusalem Post. (More Palestine stories.)