( CNN ) -- Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said he will pursue a full United Nations membership bid during a speech Friday that was likely meant to both make the case for membership and manage domestic expectations . `` We are going to the United Nations to attain full membership '' from the U.N. Security Council , Abbas told an audience in Ramallah , tempering his rhetoric by adding that `` we are not going to bring independence . Let 's not exaggerate . `` We will continue to negotiate , '' he said . Abbas says he wants the Palestinian territories `` to be represented in its natural borders , '' calling disputed territories inhabited by Israeli settlers `` illegal . '' `` We want a seat at the United Nations , and we do n't want anything more , '' Abbas said . He says Palestinian leadership does not seek to `` isolate the state of Israel , but rather isolate the policies of Israel , '' saying he will head to the United Nations headquarters in New York `` carrying an olive branch with us . '' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , who is also expected to speak next Friday at the United Nations , has said the move could complicate the peace process and further destabilize the region . `` We have been calling all along for the Palestinians to return to negotiations , '' said Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev . Regev called the issue of settlements `` a red herring '' that he says Palestinian leaders have used to avoid talks with Israel , deciding to grandstand on the international stage instead of re-engaging in peace negotiations . Hamas , the Palestinian organization that holds sway in Gaza , also was critical of Abbas on Friday , saying he is showing a willingness to negotiate and acknowledgement of Israel , which would `` deprive the Palestinian people from their right to come back to their homeland . '' `` We are warning him not to go , '' said senior Hamas official Mahmoud al-Zahar . `` This is going to make more division inside the Palestinian people . '' As regional pressure mounts over the prospective bid next week , U.S. diplomats have been scrambling to head off the burgeoning controversy , though some analysts suggest the decision to take the vote to the Security Council could reflect a political posturing by the Palestinian leader . Abbas concluded his speech Friday by acknowledging `` other options , '' presumably referring to his government 's ability to weigh a host of decisions at the U.N. General Assembly next week , which may or may not include the full membership bid . `` As for the other options , we have not taken a decision , '' he said . While the United States has vowed to veto a full membership application , should it actually come before the U.N. Security Council next Friday , the Palestinian government could also go to the General Assembly , where only a majority vote would be needed to gain a lesser status , that of a permanent observer state , similar to the position that the Vatican currently holds . A vote in its favor would be all but assured . The Palestinians currently hold the status of a permanent observer entity . As an observer , the delegation can speak in the General Assembly but not vote . A successful vote in either body will not lead to an established `` state '' with defined borders , but would afford the Palestinian government an upgraded international status allowing them to pursue legal actions against Israel . Abbas is expected to personally submit the request for full membership . CNN 's Kevin Flower contributed to this report .
NEW : Hamas warns Abbas not to go to U.N. . Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas is expected to speak at the U.N. Security Council . Ramallah is calling on Palestinian leaders to return to peace talks , a spokesman says . Palestinian President Abbas presses for full U.N. membership .