Abbas Arrives In New York, US Slams France For Supporting P.A Bid

Palestinian factions express support to UN bid.

Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, arrived in New York accompanied by several senior Palestinian officials, in order to officially submit the Palestinian application for a non-member state status at the United Nations General Assembly.

Palestinians warn: back UN statehood bid or risk boosting Hamas

Failure to support limited recognition would undermine Abbas and validate armed resistance to Israel for many, officials warn

The Palestinian leadership is warning Europe and the US that failure to support its bid for statehood at the United Nations on Thursday will further strengthen Hamas after the Gaza fighting by suggesting that violence, rather than diplomacy, is the way to win concessions from Israel.

UK Blackmail: Thou forgave “Israel”? I hereby dub thee Exterminatus. Arise Palestine!

OK… let’s cut this short, this is not some dubbing of the knighting of Sir Lancelot by the British Monarch, but the colonial arrogance of the British Colonial Empire aided by the zionist lobby which seems to result in the most Orwellian headlines….

Palestine Statehood at UN vote, only if Mahmoud Abbas pledge not to pursue Israel for war crimes

Britain ready to back Palestinian statehood at UN

Mahmoud Abbas pledge not to pursue Israel for war crimes and resumption of peace talks are UK conditions

Israel - Palestine: The Sobering Reality

Israel-Palestine Violence Timeline: The Sobering Reality (INFOGRAPHIC)

Cairo will invite factions for reconciliation talks

BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Egypt will invite Palestinian factions to Cairo to resume reconciliation talks after Palestine's bid for a UN status upgrade this week, a political official said Saturday.

Palestine envoy says Beijing backs UN entry

BEIJING (Reuters) -- President Mahmoud Abbas' envoy to China said on Friday that Beijing backs their United Nations membership bid, a day after France indicated it would support a diplomatic upgrade for Palestine.

A fragile peace: in pursuit of a solution

After eight days of battle, hopes of a lasting truce rest with a new power axis in the Middle East, writes Ruth Pollard in Gaza City.

Palestine: China special role in the Middle East

Palestinian envoy seeks 'special role' for China

 AFP news agency reports that Bassam al-Salhi, a representative of Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas, at talks in Beijing on efforts to upgrade his people's status at the United Nations and maintain calm in the region, said China can play a "special role" in the Middle East.

Q&A: Palestinian bid for upgraded UN status

President Abbas received a standing ovation when
he delivered his application to the UN last September

The Palestinians are to ask the United Nations to upgrade their status to become a "non-member observer state" by the end of 2012. 

It follows a failed bid to join the international body as a full member state in 2011 because of a lack of support in the UN Security Council.

Here is a guide to what is likely to happen and its significance. 

Ceasefire, Peace Treaty are not enough for Israel that wants full control over Palestine

Israel ministry paper proposes 'toppling' Abbas over UN bid

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We take Israel's threats seriously and we do not rule out any attempt on Israel's part to hurt the president”  - Saeb Erekat Chief Palestinian negotiator