A member of the Executive Committee of the PLO Saeb Erekat, confirmed in an interview with ArabsToday that the Palestinian leadership will travel to the United States to demand recognition of an independent Palestinian state as a permanent member, despite talk of new initiatives. He pointed out that the claim of an independent Palestinian state and the right of political maturity must be achieved. Erekat said that the Palestinian Authority has no objection to joining any new initiatives aimed at the cessation of settlement negotiations, or set negotiations agreed upon in advance, confirming that they would do whatever is necessary to go to the United Nations. Erekat said that countries that recognize Palestine as an independent state, that will vote in its favour is on the rise, recently reaching 117 countries.  He also noted that 14 other countries were on the way to recognizing an independent Palestinian State, and that this is a key reason for them to go to the United Nations without fear or hesitation. On the other hand, Erekat denied the presence of any negotiations with the Israeli side, adding that the Palestinians are sticking to their positions based on clear grounds and international legitimacy.  He stressed that if the Israeli side approved of the international conditions, then the Palestinian Authority would have no objection to the resumption of negotiations, especially if clear-cut.