Palestinians prepare for UN statehood bid

Palestinians unveil a massive chair in Ramallah symbolizing the seat given to members of the United Nations

Palestinians march in Ramallah 311 (photo credit: REUTERS)
Palestinians march in Ramallah 311
(photo credit: REUTERS)

A rally in Gaza in support of Palestine's planned bid at the United Nations for statehood .

A giant chair was unveiled in Ramallah's Manara Square -- symbolizing the seat given to UN members. Students gathered outside the United Nations building in the West Bank.

A Palestinian student read letter outside the United Nations building, which said, "I am writing to you this letter to call on the recognition of an independent Palestinian State."

In Jerusalem, final touches on a tee-shirt supporting statehood.

Israel has been pressing its friends diplomatically to avert the Palestinian declaration.

Mark Regev, spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "My Prime Minister has said he is willing to meet President Abbas here in Jerusalem. He is willing to go to Ramallah to meet President Abbas there. He said last night he is willing to meet President Abbas in New York. President Abbas is already there. We will be arriving tomorrow, we want to see a meeting, we want to see the restart of the peace talks between us and the Palestinians."