Palestine steps up effort to join global bodies

RAMALLAH, West Bank - Emboldened by their admission to the UN's cultural agency, the Palestinians plan to seek membership in other international bodies as part of their campaign for statehood.

They are also looking into a parallel and contradictory track: Having lost hope in peace talks with Israel, the Palestinians are threatening to dismantle their government in the West Bank - a move that would confront Israel with the uncomfortable prospect of directly ruling millions of Palestinians.

For now, though, the focus is on the UN. Elated by UNESCO's decision to grant them membership, jubilant Palestinian officials said on Tuesday that they wanted to seize the momentum and expand their presence at the UN.