Palestine rejects US criticism of UN recognition bid

10/17/12: Reuters reports the Palestinian Authority pushed back Tuesday against US criticism of their pursuit of upgraded status at the United Nations, saying the move would improve prospects for a peace accord with Israel, not damage them.  Having failed last year to win recognition of full statehood at the world body, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas now seeks recognition as a “non-member state.  On Monday, American UN Ambassador Susan Rice said the Palestinian bid “would only jeopardize the peace process.”  Abbas wrote to President Barack Obama Tuesday defending the UN push and reiterating his commitment to peacefully establishing a sovereign Palestine alongside Israel.  “We are taking this step in order to secure the right[s] of the Palestinian people,” Abbas aide Nimr Hammad said.  “[Our] aim is not to isolate Israel, but to secure international recognition.”