About seven people have been arrested near the United Nations for blocking traffic to protest Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' campaign for full U.N. membership.
The protesters were arrested Tuesday after they stood in the middle of First Avenue, holding up cars for several minutes.
They were among about 30 people demonstrating against the Palestinian effort to be recognized by the world body as an independent state.
Abbas has scheduled meetings with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Lebanese President Michel Suleiman as he seeks to line up support ahead of his speech Friday to the General Assembly.
That's when the Palestinians vow to submit a letter formally requesting U.N. membership.
Israeli officials say that by going to the U.N., the Palestinians are violating a pledge to resolve disagreements through negotiations.
