MIDDLE EAST - Campaign for Palestinian Statehood

"Abbas Takes Campaign for Palestinian Statehood to U.N." (Part-1) PBS Newshour 9/23/2011

Excerpt

RAY SUAREZ (Newshour): The Palestinians took their campaign for statehood to the U.N. today, defying U.S. warnings. The Israelis made their case as well, insisting any such move will only make an ultimate peace harder to come by.

Hours before their leaders spoke at the U.N., Palestinian stone- throwers clashed with Israeli troops in the West Bank town of Nabi Saleh. And one man was killed in the town of Qusra. But, in Ramallah, Palestinians celebrated peacefully, anticipating their official bid for U.N. recognition of Palestinian statehood.

And, later, at the U.N., Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas formally handed the request to Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, seeking action by the Security Council. The U.S. opposed the move. But Abbas won long applause before the U.N. General Assembly.

(APPLAUSE)

RAY SUAREZ: He charged that negotiating for statehood was meaningless so long as Israel continues building settlements in the West Bank.

COMMENT: The last sentence above is a truth.



"After Palestinian Statehood Bid, Where Do Mideast Talks Stand?" (Part-2)
PBS Newshour 9/23/2011