Updated

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says the international community's failure to advance a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is spurring governments and parliaments to take action to recognize the state of Palestine and that momentum will grow.

The U.N. chief made his remarks at Monday's U.N. commemoration of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, in a statement read at the commemoration, welcomed changes in popular sentiment in the West that have reached "official political levels."

He cited Sweden's recognition of the state of Palestine, overwhelming support for recognition by parliaments in Britain, Ireland and Spain, and upcoming votes in France and other European countries.