Israel says it will withhold more than $100 million in taxes and tariff funds it collects on behalf of Palestinians to punish them for their successful bid to win United Nations statehood. Sunday’s move came as cheering crowds welcomed Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas back to the West Bank city of Ramallah following his diplomatic victory […]
Israel to Withhold Tax Transfers to Palestinians Over UN Bid
Posted December 2nd, 2012 at 8:50 am (UTC-5)
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Clinton: Israel Settlement Expansion ‘Sets Back’ Peace Bid
Posted December 1st, 2012 at 12:10 am (UTC-5)
The United States has criticized Israel’s announcement that it intends to build 3,000 settler homes in in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, following the Palestinian Authority’s successful United Nations recognition bid. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Friday the Obama administration, like previous administrations, has been “very clear with Israel that these […]
Israel Reveals Plans to Expand Settlements After UN Vote
Posted November 30th, 2012 at 4:00 pm (UTC-5)
Israel has revealed plans to build 3,000 new homes for its settlers in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem, following the Palestinian Authority’s successful United Nations recognition bid. Israeli officials, speaking to the media on condition of anonymity, said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government had authorized the building plans, as well as preliminary zoning […]
Palestinians, Israelis Divided on UN Decision
Posted November 30th, 2012 at 11:45 am (UTC-5)
Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip celebrated into the early hours Friday morning after the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the Palestinian Authority’s bid to upgrade its status to that of a non-member observer state. Palestinians were especially cheered by the 138 U.N. members that voted in favor late Thursday. They said it […]
UN General Assembly Approves Palestinian Status Upgrade
Posted November 29th, 2012 at 6:40 pm (UTC-5)
The United Nations General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly to recognize a Palestinian state with non-member observer status. There was jubiliation on the floor of the assembly after the resolution was approved Thursday by a vote of 138-to-9, with 41 nations abstaining. Palestinians in Ramallah erupted in wild cheers, hugging each other and honking horns after […]
United Nations Opens Debate on Palestinian Statehood
Posted November 29th, 2012 at 5:50 pm (UTC-5)
The United Nations has opened its debate on a bid by the Palestinian Authority to secure a diplomatic upgrade that would change its status to that of an observer state. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas addressed the General Assembly Thursday ahead of what is expected to be successful bid. Mr. Abbas said the vote on raising […]
Support Strong for UN Palestinian Bid
Posted November 29th, 2012 at 11:50 am (UTC-5)
The Unied Nations General Assembly is expected to decide late Thursday whether to upgrade the status of the Palestinian Authority at the world body from an entity to a non-member state. VOA’s Margaret Besheer reports from the United Nations that support is strong for the upgrade, but it will lack the backing of some key […]
Abbas Seeks UN Statehood for Palestinian Territory
Posted November 29th, 2012 at 5:20 am (UTC-5)
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas is going to the U.N. General Assembly Thursday with huge support for his bid to upgrade the status of the Palestinian Authority from an entity to a non-member state. The General Assembly will vote on the mesaure that is opposed by the United States and Israel. About 60 countries are co-sponsoring […]
Support Mounting for Upgraded UN Status for Palestinians
Posted November 28th, 2012 at 12:55 pm (UTC-5)
Several more European countries say they are backing a Palestinian Authority bid to secure a diplomatic upgrade at the United Nations. Spain, Denmark and Switzerland announced their intentions Wednesday to vote in favor of the motion. France announced its support Tuesday. Russia and China have also indicated they will support the Palestinian request. If granted, […]
Israel Lifts Some Gaza Restrictions
Posted November 24th, 2012 at 2:00 pm (UTC-5)
Palestinians in Gaza say Israel has relaxed some border restrictions since the two sides implemented an Egyptian-brokered cease-fire late Wednesday. Palestinian fishermen said they were able to travel as far as seven kilometers offshore without being harassed by Israeli officials, after Israel announced it was doubling the allowable distance. Israel says the blockade is meant […]
