Palestinians urges boycott of Israeli settlements

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The Palestinian U.N. envoy is urging the world to boycott products from "illegal" Israeli settlements as part of a stepped up campaign to help Palestine become independent.

Riyad Mansour told a U.N. meeting Tuesday that the Palestinians are ready to resume U.S.-mediated peace talks with Israel, which appeared in recent days to be headed for collapse.

But he warned that if the Israelis aren't prepared to negotiate "in good faith," the Palestinians will be forced "to move into the next stage of holding them accountable for all of their illegal behavior in all fronts, politically, diplomatically and legally."

Mansour said Palestine will officially become a party to 15 international conventions it has applied to join on May 3 — and is ready with more applications, depending on Israel's actions.