About 140 countries are likely to support a Palestinian bid for statehood recognition at the United Nations General Assembly later this month, according to Palestinian negotiator Nabil Shaath.“Many Palestinian leaders and officials went on separate tours and visits to convince the world’s countries to recognize the Palestinian state in the territories occupied by Israel in 1967,” said Shaath, a senior official in Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah faction. His remarks in Ramallah today were broadcast on Palestinian television.
Aug. 26, 2011: An Israeli soldier fires tear gas canisters at Palestinian protesters during a protest march at the Qalandia checkpoint between the West Bank city of Ramallah and Jerusalem.ELAZAR, West Bank -- Israeli forces are seeking to prevent bloodshed when Palestinians march in support of a statehood drive this month, but they are preparing for worst-case scenarios, even authorizing West Bank settlers to shoot at Palestinians who approach their communities.Palestinians say the rallies will be peaceful -- a view shared by Israel's own security assessments -- and will steer clear of any settlements. Yet, the combustible atmosphere and the long and deadly history of Israeli-Palestinian violence are raising the specter that events might spin out of control