Palestinians make historic UN bid for statehood

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas made history in his peoples long quest for statehood asking the United Nations to admit Palestine as a member state, stirring US and Israeli anger.Abbas handed over the formal request in a white folder emblazoned with the Palestinian crest to UN chief Ban Ki-moon.More than 120 nations have already recognized a Palestinian state and Abbas triggered wild applause and a standing ovation from some delegates when he stepped up to address the UN General Assembly, vowing the Palestinians were ready to return to peace talks if Israeli settlement activities cease.Waving a copy of the document over the UN podium, Abbas said he had submitted an application for the admission of Palestine on the basis of the June 4, 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital.But the dramatic move was immediately rejected by Israel and its backer the United States, which says it will veto Palestinian statehood if it reaches a vote in the Security Council.The Security Council was due to start discussing the issue Monday, but a vote would be unlikely for weeks.Explaining why he had pressed the Palestinian bid despite the opposition, Abbas said all previous peace efforts were repeatedly smashed against the rocks of the positions of the Israeli government.The Palestinian leader stressed the Palestinians did not want to isolate or de-legitimize Israel.The Palestinians only wanted to end Israels settlement policy, which he said will destroy chances of a two-state solution to the decades-old conflict.This settlement policy threatens to also undermine the structure of the Palestinian National Authority and even end its existence, he said.Crowds of tens of thousands of Palestinians cheered across the West Bank, where they watched the speech on giant TV screens.But Israel was scathing.