Palestinian leader vows to sue Israel over settlements

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said here Wednesday he would take legal action against Israel should it go ahead with its new settlement plan in the West Bank and Jerusalem. In a press conference ahead of concluding a three-day visit to Turkey, Abbas said Palestine, which is now a UN non-member observer state, can take steps against Israel in order to protect the Palestinian right. "We won't be patient if Israel goes ahead with its settlement plans in the West Bank and Jerusalem, which are mainly meant to separate the north and south of the West Bank," he said. He noted that by building new settlements, Israel violates international treaties, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention, urging Israel to choose between occupation, expansion of settlements and comprehensive peace. On November 29, the 193-member UN General Assembly voted 138-9 with 41 abstentions to upgrade Palestine's status to non-member observer state. The UN vote is seen as a long-sought victory for the Palestinians, but a diplomatic defeat for Israel. The observer state status grants Palestinians access to UN agencies and the International Criminal Court, where they can file formal complaints against Israel.