RAMALLAH, November 29, 2012 (WAFA) – Several rallies are planned Thursday in all West Bank cities in support of Palestinian efforts to become a non-member state in the United Nations.

The UN is expected to vote by midnight Thursday local time on a resolution calling for upgrading the status of Palestine from “observer entity” to “non-member state observer.” The new status will allow it to join all UN organizations including the influential International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice.

At the same time, the UN marks Thursday, November 29, the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, which also coincides with the 1947 UN partition of Palestine resolution 181 that divided Palestine into an Arab and Jewish states?

President Mahmoud Abbas will address the special morning session at the UN marking the International Day of Solidarity. He will also address the afternoon session that will discuss the Palestinian upgrading of status resolution to ask UN member states to support the resolution.

Palestinians expect at least two-thirds of the 193 members of the UN to support the resolution, which they consider will be a victory for Palestinian diplomacy and struggle in spite of strong opposition from the United States, Canada and Israel.

Palestinians are expected to gather at noon at various city centers, where big screens will be set up for people to watch Abbas’ speech, which is not expected to air before 10:00 p.m. local time.

The day rallies include marches by the scouts, musical performance by Palestinian troupes, who will sing nationalist songs, as well as speeches by political figures.

M.S./F.R.