Jordan’s King Urges Palestinians to Drop UN Statehood Bid

Jordan’s King Abdullah has reportedly urged Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas not to declare statehood and seek UN membership in September. Saudi Arabian newspaper Al-Madina quoted Abdullah as relaying to Abbas via diplomatic channels that declaring a state could harm the Palestinian bid for returning refugees to Israel. Amid an intensive Israeli diplomatic offensive, the U.S. has also urged the Palestinians not to go ahead with their statehood bid at the UN. But so far the Palestinian leader shows no sign of backing down.