Congresswoman Kay Granger (TX-12), Chairwoman of the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, issued the following statement regarding the renewed bid by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to petition the United Nations for limited statehood status.

“Today’s surprise decision by President Abbas to resume efforts to seek limited statehood status at the United Nations is an extremely disappointing development. This is not a legitimate alternative to the peace talks that the United States has been working to facilitate between the Palestinians and Israel, and is only an impediment to future discussions. The only legitimate way of achieving statehood is through direct negotiations between the Palestinians and Israel.”