What land for the Palestinians? The Palestinian push for United Nations recognition of independent statehood still has not resolved what land it would be on. Since the start of the…
US veto set to upset Palestinian UN move The admission of new members to the United Nations is decided by the General Assembly. Normally, if a state wants to join, it presents its application to…
Israel’s likely next step?With the Palestinians bidding for statehood, Israel finds itself once again in the eye of the storm at the UN. To gauge the mood within the country we spoke…
Abbas admits UN statehood bid ‘very difficult’ for PalestiniansPalestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has arrived in New York ahead of a crucial week as he prepares to present a formal demand to the UN for an independent…
Academic appointed as Palestinian PM A university academic has just become the new Palestinian prime minister. Rami Hamdallah is the head of al-Najah University in the West Bank city of Nablus as…
Palestinians’ Nakba day one of infamy The British presence in Palestine had become untenable following the end of the Second World War, and so it sought to end its administrative mandate there. It…
MEPs delegation calls on Israel to free Palestinian prisoners A delegation from the European Parliament has joined calls for the immediate release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. It coincided with…
Palestinian PM Fayyad offers resignation Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad has offered his resignation to President Mahmoud Abbas following a rift over government policy. Western states have…
West Bank clashes on eve of ‘Land Day’ There was high tension between Palestinian protesters and Israeli troops in the West Bank on the eve of ‘Land Day’. Near the southern West Bank city of…
Israeli EU ambassador blasts Palestinian UN move, adds ‘settlement reversible’ A more than 70 percent majority of the United Nations General assembly members voted in favour of non-member observer status for the Palestinian people as a…
Palestinians celebrate United Nations statehood voteA Palestinian man shouts slogans during a rally in the West Bank city of Ramallah. The 193-nation U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly approved a resolution…
Palestine: a global recognition More than 60 years after the homeland of the Palestinians was explosively redrawn by the foundation of the state of Israel, Palestine has finally been…
PLO’s knocks at UN It did not work out last year when the Palestinian Authority President asked for state recognition at the United Nations. That request defined a Palestine…
EU Palestinian representative calls for UN recognition As President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the UN, Leila Shahid, the Palestinian Authorities’ representative to the EU spoke to euronews in Brussels. When…
Abbas ready to correct ‘errors’ Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, in an interview with euronews, has made clear that he will not be deterred by American opposition to his moves…
Mideast: Abbas cheered by Palestinians – nocomment Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas received a hero’s welcome in the West Bank on Sunday, after his historic speech to the United Nations on Friday.
A hero’s welcome for Mahmoud AbbasA Palestinian boy holds a flag in front of members of the Palestinian security forces in the West Bank city of Ramallah, before a celebration upon President…
Mideast : clashes continue between Israelis and Palestinians – nocomment While the United-Nations debate on the Palestinian statehood question, Israelis and Palestinians clash in West-Bank and East-Jerusalem.
What land for the Palestinians? The Palestinian push for United Nations recognition of independent statehood still has not resolved what land it would be on. Since the start of the…
Palestinian supporters rally in New York – nocomment Even though Barack Obama has already announced that the US will veto Mahmoud Abbas’s bid for full UN membership, supporters of a Palestinian state held a…
Hamas: Palestinian reconciliation before UN recognition To discuss the decision of the Palestinian authority to ask for recognition of a Palestinian state at the United Nations, and the consequences of such a…
Palestinian youths clash with Israeli soldiers – nocomment Palestinian youngsters threw rocks at Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint on the edge of Ramallah on Wednesday. The soldiers responded with tear gas and a…
West Bank: Palestinians eager to enter the UN – nocomment Palestinian residents from the West Bank and Jerusalem continued preparations on Tuesday ahead of the planned bid for statehood by President Mahmoud Abbas at…
Israel’s warning on democratic monopoly Israel faces a dilemma with the Palestinians’ planned bid for recognition of statehood at the United Nations in New York this week. Israel’s claim to be a…
Palestinians demonstrate at West Bank checkpoint – nocomment Dozens of Palestinian demonstrators marched towards Israeli soldiers at the Qalandia checkpoint near Jerusalem, demanding an end to the Israeli occupation.
US veto set to upset Palestinian UN move The admission of new members to the United Nations is decided by the General Assembly. Normally, if a state wants to join, it presents its application to…
Ex-Israeli minister: ‘We should freeze settlements and negotiate’ The former Israeli minister and peace negotiator Yossi Beilin spoke to euronews about the Palestinian bid for statehood at the United Nations. Just days…
Palestinian statehood: making the case for European support In September 1993 Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) signed the principles of accord for what was to be the Oslo agreement. These…
What if the UN recognised an independent Palestinian state? After decades of Israeli occupation, years of violent intifadas and failed peace efforts, the Palestinians prepare to seek UN recognition as an independent…
US & EU head to Israel with UN vote looming With just five days to go before the Palestinians present their demand for statehood before the UN, America and Europe are engaged in a diplomatic push to…
Christmas in Bethlehem has extra significance for PalestiniansMany Palestinian and Christian pilgrims say Christmas in Bethlehem has even more meaning following major events this year. First, their route in the ancient…
Syrian planes hit Yarmouk mosque killing dozensAt least 25 people have been killed in the Yarmouk refugee camp in southern Damascus. Syrian fighter-bombers fired at least one missile into a mosque in the…
Hamas 25th anniversaryThousands of Hamas supporters held a rally in the West Bank town of Nablus to mark the 25th anniversary of the organisation. Hamas, the ruling party in…
Israel casts doubts over Palestinian reconciliation effortsThe Israeli prime minister has expressed concerns over Palestinian peace efforts amid a visit to the region by Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal. Benjamin…
Gaza prepares for 25th anniversaryKhaled Meshaal greeted the crowds of a massed rally in the al-Qatiba complex in Gaza. The 56-year-old leader of Hamas will address the crowd who have…
Exiled Hamas chief makes historic trip to GazaIt has been 45 years since exiled Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal last stepped on Palestinian soil. The 56-year-old is due to travel to the Gaza Strip today…
Israel’s response: withhold cash and build moreThe Israeli government has already anounced concrete reactions to the UN vote on Palestine. It announced it would keep back about 75-million euros in tax…
Palestinians laud Abbas after UN voteThe Palestinian president has returned home from his historic trip to the United Nations to be greeted by jubilant crowds in the West Bank. After the…
Palestinian UN vote highlights European divisionsThere was a warm welcome within the UN General Assembly for the Palestinians’ diplomatic victory. But behind the applause as the resolution was passed, deep…
Palestinians celebrate UN victoryThe news of the UN General Assembly’s decision to upgrade the Palestinians status was the cue for wild celebrations across the West Bank and Gaza. In…
UN General Assembly upgrades Palestine’s statusThe UN General Assembly has decided to upgrade Palestine from an observer to non-member status. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas was one of…
UN votes to give Palestine non-member statusThe UN General Assembly has decided to upgrade Palestine from an observer to non-member status. There was joy from many inside the Assembly in New York…
Hopes high for Palestinian Authority’s UN voteThe Palestinian Authority is expected achieve the status of ‘non-member state’ in the UN. Voting will take place in the General Assembly, whose 193 members…
The day of truth dawns for the PalestiniansThe Palestinian bid for longed-for although indirect recognition as a state is expected to pass easily when presented to the 193-nation General Assembly in…
UK sets conditions for Palestinian statehood backingDenmark and Switzerland have joined the list of several European countries backing Mahmoud Abbas’ bid for Palestinian statehood at the UN. The president is…
France backs Palestinians in statehood bidFrance has become the first major European country to back the Palestinian drive for statehood at the UN. Austria reportedly also plans to support…
Abbas calls for UN upgrade, slams Israeli “racism”The Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has appealed to the UN General Assembly to upgrade the Palestinian’s status at the global forum to “non-member state”…
Abbas tells euronews about Fatah-Hamas common groundWishing Hamas happy birthday, tens of thousands of supporters rallied in Gaza to celebrate the Palestinian group’s 24th annniversary. But while the Islamist…
UNESCO feels the pinch after Palestine ‘Yes’It was on October 31 that the UNESCO General Assembly admitted Palestine as a full member. Of the 194 members of the UN organisation, 107 had voted for, 14…
Boost for Palestinians as flag is raised at UNESCOIt was an emotional Ramallah as Palestinians reacted to the raising of their flag above a United Nations building for the first time. Taking that seat as a…
Israel halts UNESCO funds over Palestinian voteUNESCO’s decision to grant the Palestinians full membership has prompted Israel to freeze its funding to the UN’s cultural agency. The Israelis say UNESCO’s…
Israel takes punitive measures after UNESCO voteIsrael has decided to speed up Jewish settlement building in the West Bank and East Jerusalem one day after the Palestinian’s successful bid to join…
US cuts UNESCO funding after Palestinian votePalestinians have welcomed the granting of full membership of UNESCO but the US has immediately decided to cancel its funding of the cultural agency. A …
US and Israel condemn UNESCO Palestine voteThere was warm applause in UNESCO’s chamber as the result of the vote was announced. By voting strongly to give the Palestinians full UNESCO membership, the…
UNESCO gives Palestinians full membershipThe UN’s cultural agency UNESCO has given the Palestinians full membership, boosting their bid for state recognition at the United Nations. Of 173…
Abbas: ‘we won’t fall into the trap of extremism’Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has been in Strasbourg to urge The Council of Europe to back what he called ‘the Palestinian Spring.’ Addressing the…
UNESCO agrees to vote on Palestinian membershipUNESCO, the UN’s cultural agency has agreed to allow a vote on whether to accept Palestinian membership of the organisation. The proposal is the latest move…
Palestine statehood discussed in Tehran and New YorkIn Tehran the annual international pro-Palestine conference has got underway as the United Nations Security Council opened its discussions on Palestine’s bid…
Arab dismay at new Jewish homes in east JerusalemAll eyes are on Jerusalem following Israel’s approval of planning permission for a block of 1,100 new homes in the Arab east of the city. The homes will be…
UN considers on Palestinian stateThe 15-member UN Security Council has begun considering last week’s Palestinian application for full state recognition. It is a process that’s likely to…
UN Security Council starts considering Palestinian statehoodAfter receiving a hero’s welcome in Ramallah, it’s down to business on Monday for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, as talks begin at the UN Security…
UN Security Council to consider Palestinian bidThe United Nations Security Council is set to meet in New York today to start discussing the Palestinian application for full state membership. The US has…
Palestinian Authority president to consider negotiationsThe President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, has flown back from the UN in New York to an enthusiastic reception in Ramallah. After asking for…
Israel accepts proposals for peace talksIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he is ready to accept proposals from the so-called Quartet of mediators to aim for peace with the Palestinians…
Abbas sees UN taking weeks, not months on bidMahmoud Abbas says he expects the Security Council to finish debating the Palestinians’ bid for full UN membership within weeks, not months. The clock is…
Optimism in the West BankThere is optimism in the West Bank about the possibility of becoming a recognised sovereign state. The majority are positive, despite the strong opposition…
What now for the Palestinian request?Mahmoud Abbas presented the Palestinian request for statehood to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Friday afternoon. Within hours, it was transmitted to the…
UN request met with joy by PalestiniansManhattan may have been shrouded in cloud, but the happiness of the Palestinian community shone through on the streets below. Some had hired boats to sail…
Palestinians celebrate Abbas’ “historic” speechThousands of Palestinians gathered in central Ramallah on Friday to mark what’s been described as a historic moment in their fight for statehood. There were…
Gaza reaction to Palestinian state bidAhead of Abbas’ speech, the militant group Hamas said Palestinians should liberate their land and not beg for recognition at the UN. Nevertheless after…
“Quartet” pushes for new mid-east peace talksThe “Quartet” of Middle East mediators has called on Israel and the Palestinians to meet within a month to agree an agenda for new peace talks. A proposal…
Refugees welcome Palestinian bid for UN membershipHundreds of Palestinian refugees gathered in a show of support for President Mahmoud Abbas’ bid for full UN membership. In Lebanon, there are an estimated…
Israel extends hand of peace to Mahmoud AbbasIsrael’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in responding to President Mahmoud Abbas told the UN General Assembly that the programme of settlements in the West…
Abbas applies for UN recognition of PalestineThe Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas has formally presented a request for the United Nations to recognise Palestine as a sovereign state. The US has…
Abbas formally submits request for state recognition to UNPalestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has told the UN General Assembly “now is the time for the Palestinian Spring,” after formally submitting a bid for…
Israeli security increased ahead of Abbas’ UN speechIsraeli security has been stepped up across parts of Jerusalem and the West Bank, ahead of today’s planned statehood speech by Palestinian President Mahmoud…
Young Palestinians embrace social mediaThe internet has made the world much smaller. For young Palestinians, it has led to a growing hunger for news beyond their walls. Around 40 percent of those…
Israeli police on alert ahead of key UN speechIsraeli police have been put on alert ahead of Friday’s statehood speech by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the United Nations in New York. Officials…
UN told Israeli/Palestinian talks are top priorityThe President of the European Council says the resumption of talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority is the top priority. Herman Van Rompuy was…
Palestinian Christians support independent stateThe main Christian denominations in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza have issued a joint statement supporting the establishment of a Palestinian state…
Sarkozy proposes Palestinian compromise at UNThe French President Nicolas Sarkozy has suggested the UN create a non-member observer state of Palestine. He proposed a one-year roadmap for peace in the…
Alain Gresh on Israeli-Palestinian conflictMiddle East specialist and deputy director of the monthly newspaper Le Monde Diplomatique Alain Gresh answered questions from euronews about the…
Bet El settlers’ convictionsThe Jewish settlement of Bet El lies between Nablus and Ramallah. It was founded ten years after the Six-Day War of 1967. Its roughly 6,000 inhabitants come…
Resolution 194’s failureJust south and just north of Bethlehem in the West Bank lie the Palestinian refugee camps of Aida and Dheisheh. They were set up for Palestinians from more…
Middle East peace talks must be revived: ObamaUS President Barack Obama has told the Palestinians and Israel to get back to the negotiating table and revive peace talks after a year-long deadlock. Obama…
Palestinians rally in run-up to UN statehood bidThe mood was festive – but the cause is deeply felt. Tens of thousands of people have been rallying across the West Bank to back the Palestinian bid for…
Palestinians rally in support of UN statehood bidSeeking the cherished mantle of statehood so longed for by Yasser Arafat, Palestinians have been pouring into Ramallah to press home their claim. They say…
Crisis talks intensify to avoid Mideast diplomatic clash at UNIt is difficult diplomacy. But with Mahmoud Abbas set to make his Palestinian statehood bid at the UN on Friday, efforts are intensifying to avoid a…
Israel’s likely next step?With the Palestinians bidding for statehood, Israel finds itself once again in the eye of the storm at the UN. To gauge the mood within the country we spoke…
Palestinian statehood: “The EU has a choice”Saeb Erekat negotiated the Oslo Accords with Israel, the framework agreement signed in 1993 by Mahmoud Abbas and Shimon Peres on behalf of the PLO and Israel…
Diplomatic crisis intensifies over Palestinian UN bidThe diplomatic crisis around President Mahmoud Abbas’ push for recognition of a Palestinian state is intensifying, in the run-up to his planned UN request on…
Israel offers direct talks with the PalestiniansThe diplomatic crisis precipitated by President Mahmoud Abbas over Palestinian statehood appears to have forced Israel onto the back foot. Abbas’ intention…
Palestinian leader confirms request for full UN membershipIn New York Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has met with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. He confirmed in the meeting he will press ahead with plans to…
Abbas admits UN statehood bid ‘very difficult’ for PalestiniansPalestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has arrived in New York ahead of a crucial week as he prepares to present a formal demand to the UN for an independent…
Diplomats try to avert Palestinian statehood crisisA series of last-ditch meetings have begun in New York to try to re-launch Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. The EU, the so-called Quartet of Middle East…
Palestinian vote will not succeed – NetanyahuIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told his cabinet that the Palestinians’ UN bid for statehood will never succeed. Palestinian President Mahmoud…
Talks continue on Palestinian bid for statehoodPalestinians have demonstrated at a West Bank checkpoint to voice their support for an expected Palestinian bid for statehood at the United Nations this…
Mideast quartet meets over Palestinian statehood bidAmid mounting tension, Palestinians have held a demonstration at a West Bank checkpoint in support of a statehood bid at the United Nations. This as envoys…
Palestinians launch bid for statehoodThe Palestinians have taken their much anticipated step and decided to push for full statehood at the United Nations next week. In Ramallah and all over the…
Israel fears the worst after statehood bidTension is rising in Israel and the occupied territories with clashes now a daily event ahead of the UN decision on Palestinian statehood. Palestinian…
Abbas goes for broke and full Palestinian statehoodThe Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has announced in Ramallah that he will be demanding full UN statehood for his people at the United Nations next week…
New York rally for Palestinian statehoodHundreds have gathered in New York to show their support for a Palestinian state. This a week before Palestinian leaders are due to call for full …
