The Obama administration is ramping up efforts to subvert a Palestinian effort to seek statehood recognition at the United Nations later this month. The White House has claimed to support an independent Palestinian state as part of a two-state solution but has harshly opposed the Palestinian Authority’s campaign to achieve just that. On Wednesday, Obama aides David Hale and Dennis Ross met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in a last-ditch attempt to block the statehood move. At a nearby square in Ramallah, a Palestinian protester denounced the U.S. pressure.

Protester: “These Americans are not bringing blessings to us. They came to terrify us. We tell the President, Abu Mazen, that Palestinian people are united. We tell the President, Abu Mazen, that the Palestinian people want you to continue your step and to go to the United Nations. Abu Mazen, do not give up. Abu Mazen, do not hesitate. The Palestinian people are with you.”