Upgraded status will do nothing to turn Hamas from genocidal path

It was Oscar Wilde who said ''Illusion is the first of all pleasures'', and it seems so many are basking in the pleasure of the illusion that has been created around the Palestinian Authority's bid for observer state status at the UN.

Effective pressure is essential to broker a solution

The Palestinian Authority is seeking recognition from the United Nations General Assembly for Palestine to be admitted as a non-member state in the UN. There is strong support in the General Assembly for the resolution, with at least 115 member states, representing more than 75 per cent of the world population, expected to vote yes. Sadly, Australia will not be among them.

Gillard reassures Israel of backing despite UN vote

THE Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, has sought to placate an angry Jewish lobby with strong words of support in Parliament for Israel after Australia backed Palestine at the United Nations.

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.