Face-off at the U.N. ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times (Editorial) September 20, 2011 - 12:00am The looming United Nations vote on Palestinian statehood is not a cause for celebration — for Palestinians or anyone else. It is merely further evidence of the utter stalemate of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, which once promised to deliver a two-state solution but which during the last few years has deteriorated into a depressing morass. » Read more

Al-Wazir: PA could collapse if US withdraws aid ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency by Daniel Bases - (Analysis) September 20, 2011 - 12:00am NEW YORK (Reuters) -- A formal call for Palestinian statehood at the United Nations this week could bring severe financial strains, even a potential collapse of the Palestinian Authority, the territories' top banker told Reuters on Monday. The United States, a major source of financing and aid for the Palestinian Authority, opposes a unilateral call for statehood. Washington has warned of repercussions if President Mahmoud Abbas calls for statehood on Friday, when he is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly. » Read more

Abbas meets UN chief Ban Ki-moon; Netanyahu calls on PA to renew talks ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Avi Issacharoff, Natasha Mozgovaya, Barak Ravid - (Analysis) September 20, 2011 - 12:00am Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Monday that he was determined to ask the Security Council to accept Palestine as a full UN member. Abbas said he would in fact be seeking full recognition for a Palestinian state and would initiate this on Friday after his speech to the UN General Assembly. The United States and Israel claim this move could lead to a disaster. » Read more

Diplomats Scramble as Palestinians Plan to Apply for U.N. Membership on Friday ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times by Neil MacFarquhar, Steven Lee Myers - (Analysis) September 19, 2011 - 12:00am UNITED NATIONS — The Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, said Monday that he would present an application for Palestine to join the United Nations immediately after he addresses the General Assembly on Friday, as diplomats worked frenetically to try to limit the fallout from the application. Mr. Abbas told Ban Ki-Moon, the United Nations secretary general, that he was determined to move forward. “I think it has dawned on everybody that they cannot convince us not to go,” said Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the Palestinian delegation. “Most people are discussing what is next.” » Read more