UN upgrades Palestinian status, in vote 138-9, with 41 abstentions

       The UN General Assembly on Thursday night voted overwhelmingly to upgrade the status of the Palestinians at the world body to that of a non-member observer state. The vote was 138 in favor, with nine votes against and 41 abstentions. The nations that opposed the resolution were Israel, the United States, Canada, Panama, the Czech Republic, the Marshal Islands, Micronesia, Palau and Nauru. Among the abstaining votes were Germany and Britain, while France led a group of European powers backing the bid. Abbas called the resolution the "last chance" to save the two-state solution. In a 22-minute speech laced with references to Israel's operation this month to halt rocket fire from Gaza, Abbas said Palestinians would accept "no less than the independence of the state of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital." He warned, however, that the time for an accord is running out, "the rope of patience is shortening and hope is withering." Following Abbas onto the UN stage, Israel's ambassador to the UN Ron Prosor said recognizing Palestine "will place further obstacles and preconditions to negotiations and peace," and could even lead to increased violence. US ambassador Susan Rice warned the 193-member world body during the debate that the resolution would be an "obstacle to peace" because it would not lead to a return to direct talks between Israelis and Palestinians. "Today's grand pronouncements will soon fade," Rice said. "And the Palestinian people will wake up tomorrow and find that lilttle about their lives has changed, save that the prospects of a durable peace have only receded." Abbas was warned earlier by UN leader Ban Ki Moon that the Middle East peace process is on "life support" and that both he and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu must take action to revive talks. In practical terms, the status upgrade means that while the Palestinians have no vote on the General Assembly, they are able to join UN agencies and potentially the International Criminal Court -- a possible avenue to mount legal challenges against Israeli actions. Following the vote, Abbas embraced his foreign minister, Riyad Al-Malki at the UN headquarters in New York, while thousands of Palestinians celebrated with bursts of gunfire and cheers in the West Bank city of Ramallah. At a reception following the UN General Assembly vote, Abbas called it a historic step toward the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. But he said the Palestinians still face a "long and difficult road" before they get their own country. Abbas said this is a historic day, but the real battle begins tomorrow. He stressed that the Palestinians are committed to fulfilling their rights through peaceful means and dialogue. Abbas also appealed for reconciliation with rival Palestinian groups. He said divisions between his Fatah movement and Hamas must end. "Internally as Palestinians we have a wound, that is the split and now it is time to end the split, it is time for Palestinian reconciliation," he said. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu introduced Abbas at the event as the "president of the state of Palestine."