What U.N. Recognition Means To Palestinians, Israelis

05:51

November 29, 2012

Surrounded by Palestinian flags a Palestinian chants slogans during a rally supporting the Palestinian UN bid for observer state status, in the West Bank city of Hebron on Thursday. (Nasser Shiyoukhi/AP)

Despite U.S. and Israeli opposition, the United Nations is expected Thursday afternoon to pass a Palestinian bid recognizing a Palestinian state, and give it non-member observer status at the U.N.

Currently, the only state with that status is the Holy See (Vatican).

The move could open the way for Palestinians to bring war crimes charges against Israel at the International Criminal Court.

The U.S. and Israel say it will complicate efforts to achieve an independent Palestinian state through peace talks.

Washington Post: U.N. poised to offer Palestinians ‘non-member observer’ status
Foreign Policy: France to back Palestine U.N. bid

Guest:

Colum Lynch, U.N. reporter for the Washington Post and Turtle Bay blogger at Foreign Policy Magazine. He tweets @columlynch.

This segment aired on November 29, 2012.