UN allows Palestine to observe

Palestine has become an observer at the United Nations. The country has received 138 votes from 193 member countries to obtain the status.

Nine countries voted against, 41 abstained, and the rest did not participate in the vote. The list of the countries that approved the document included Russia, Brazil, China, Lebanon, Turkey, South Africa, South Korea and others. The votes against were received from Israel, the U.S., Canada, Panama and the Czech Republic.

"The General Assembly reaffirms the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and independence in the State of Palestine on the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967," says the resolution.

The new status of Palestine will give Palestinian citizens an opportunity to go to the International Court in The Hague. In addition, Palestinian diplomats hope that it will speed up the settlement of the Middle East issue and the negotiations with Israel.

Tel Aviv, in turn, is going to revoke thousands of work permits issued to Palestinians. Washington has warned Palestine that it will suspend the financial assistance, the Asian Reporter says. U.S. Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice said that the decision of the General Assembly does not give either statehood to Palestine or the right to become a member in the United Nations.

The Palestinians were thrilled with the news - the people received the news with enthusiasm and delight. Many took to the streets to celebrate the victory. "This is a new victory on the way to the liberation of Palestine," one of the leaders of Hamas said.