BBC poll shows support for Palestine
Published:Monday | September 19, 2011 | 9:52 AM
A global BBC poll suggests that more people support UN recognition of Palestine as an independent state than those who oppose it.
Across the 19 countries surveyed, 49 per cent backed the proposal while 21 per cent said their government should oppose it.
The Palestinians said they will ask for full membership at the UN this week.
Palestine currently has observer status, meaning delegates can speak in the General Assembly but not vote.
However, the US said that it will veto any move to give Palestine full membership at the UN.
The Palestinians are seeking international recognition of their state based on 1967 borders - the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip.
Israel and the US say a Palestinian state can only be achieved through direct negotiation.
The last round of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians broke down a year ago.