US President Barack Obama says he will oppose the Palestinian Authority’s UN bid for statehood.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas is expected to make a push for statehood following a speech at the UN on Friday.

President Obama has vowed to veto the Palestinian bid, backing Israel’s view that direct talks offer the only route to peace. He has urged both sides in the conflict to return to negotiations.

Palestinians hope to establish a state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza strip, territories captured by Israel in the 1967 Arab-Israel war.

The drama over the Palestinian UN bid will culminate with a speech by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who will lay out his wishes during the General Assembly debate. Just hours later, Netanyahu is due to take to the podium with his rebuttal.