RAMALLAH, West Bank — The Palestinians’ Plan B — an alternative to the elusive peace deal with Israel — is gradually taking shape: persuade as many countries as possible to recognize a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem, and use that to lobby the United States not to veto recognition by the U.N. Security Council.
The issue suddenly became more urgent late Tuesday when U.S. officials said they had abandoned efforts to get Israel to reinstate a West Bank settlement construction slowdown, concluding that was not the best way to restart the talks. The Palestinians have said they would not resume negotiations without construction curbs.
With efforts deadlocked, Brazil and Argentina have recognized “Palestine,” expected to be followed by Uruguay next month. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said he is setting his sights on Europe.
