"Wassel Abu Yusuf, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization's (PLO) Executive Committee, on Thursday accused Israel of conducting an 'open and comprehensive war' against the Palestinians and of trying to impose facts on the ground by legitimizing the 'settlements' and, with the assistance of the United States, in removing the issues of Jerusalem and the refugees from the negotiating table.
During the month of February, Abu Yusef said, an important diplomatic move is planned by the Palestinian Authority (PA). That move is expected to include an appeal to the UN Security Council to achieve international protection for the Palestinians and full membership of 'the state of Palestine' at the UN, reported the Ma'an news agency.
He added that the move would take place ahead of the speech by PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas to the Security Council, which is scheduled for February 20..."