2011 - PALESTINE STATE : UN 194 ?

2. Jaafar Ashtiyeh / AFP - Getty Images - A Palestinian man reads the Al-Quds newspaper at a coffee shop in the northern West Bank city of Nablus

3. Bernat Armangue / AP A Palestinian man watches news on television inside his shop in Jerusalem's Old City

4. A mural of former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat adorns a part of the Israeli separation barrier. The barrier, described as a security fence by Israel, surrounds part of the city of Ramallah and separates it from Jerusalem. To cross it, one has to go through a checkpoint. While the Palestinians are requesting statehood recognition at the U.N. because they believe peace talks have stalled, both Israel and the U.S. firmly oppose the initiative, arguing that a Palestinian state can only be created through direct negotiations. PHOTO :Julien Goldstein

5. The Reach call center is operated by Jawwal, the main cellphone company in the West Bank. In this divided country, the mobile phone has enabled many people to stay in touch with their families despite the politically complicated geography of the region. Jawwal has some 2.25 million subscribers. The call center is open around the clock, staffed by men and women working together. Photo : Julien Goldstein

6. A view of the city of Ramallah from the surrounding hills. - photo : Julien Goldstein

7. A Palestinian man shepherds his goats near the Tapuach Junction north of the Palestinian town Nablus in the West Bank. (Photo by Uriel Sinai/Getty Images)

8. Israeli settler youths wave Israeli flags at the start of a protest march against Palestinian statehood, from the West Bank Jewish settlement of Itamar near the Palestinians town of Nablus, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says he is determined to seek U.N. recognition this week of a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem, areas Israel captured in 1967. Israeli security forces fear the U.N. bid could spark violence in the West Bank. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

9. SEPTEMBER 20: Israeli settler youths ride on a donkey with an Israeli flag as they join a protest march against Palestinian statehood, from the West Bank Jewish settlement of Itamar near the Palestinian town of Nablus. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says he is determined to seek U.N. recognition this week of a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem, areas Israel captured in 1967. Israeli security forces fear the U.N. bid could spark violence in the West Bank. (Ariel Schalit/Associated Press)

10. Palestinians stand in line for an ATM in Ramallah, West Bank. (Photo by Uriel Sinai/Getty Images)

11. A Palestinian soldier stands behind the tomb of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in Ramallah, West Bank. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is reportedly told United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon September 19, that he will seek full membership for a Palestinian state during the UN General Assembly this week in New York. (Photo by Uriel Sinai/Getty Images)

12. Palestinians rally for state A protester paints on the separation barrier while an Israeli soldier watches. He wrote the message: "What will 20 September Change?" - referring to the United Nations vote [Gregg Carlstrom/Al Jazeera]

13. Palestinians rally for state Most of the demonstrators, however, supported the PLO's bid for full membership at the UN [Gregg Carlstrom/Al Jazeera]

14. Palestinians rally for state The protest was originally billed as a women's rally, and about half of the 200 demonstrators were women [Gregg Carlstrom/Al Jazeera]

15. Palestinians rally for state One protester climbed along Israel's separation barrier and taped a Palestinian flag near the top [Gregg Carlstrom/Al Jazeera]

16. Palestinians rally for state The sign in the background urges Palestinians to reject negotiations while Israel continues to build illegal settlements and the separation barrier [Gregg Carlstrom/Al Jazeera]

17. Palestinians rally for state The mural in the background portrays the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat [Gregg Carlstrom/Al Jazeera]

18. Palestinians rally for state Protesters stayed for about an hour, chanting slogans and waving signs and Palestinian flags [Gregg Carlstrom/Al Jazeera]

19. Palestinians rally for state About 40 Israeli soldiers formed a line behind concrete barricades [Gregg Carlstrom/Al Jazeera]

20. Ammar Awad / Reuters Palestinians take part in a rally in the West Bank city of Hebron September 21. Flag-waving Palestinians filled the squares of major West Bank cities on Wednesday to rally behind President Mahmoud Abbas's bid for statehood recognition at the United Nations despite U.S. and Israeli objections.

21. Ahmad Gharabli / AFP - Getty Images Israeli soldiers keep their position during clashes with Palestinian stone throwers at the Qalandia checkpoint between the West Bank city of Ramallah and Jerusalem on September 21.

22. Darren Whiteside / Reuters Israeli soldiers detain a Palestinian youth during clashes that erupted between the soldiers and Palestinian stone-throwers at Qalandiya checkpoint on September 21. The clashes erupted after a rally in the nearby West Bank city of Ramallah in support of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' bid for statehood recognition in the United Nations.

23. Darren Whiteside / Reuters A journalist tends to a Palestinian youth who was hit in the face with a tear gas canister fired by Israeli security forces during clashes that erupted between Israeli troops and Palestinian stone-throwers at Qalandiya checkpoint September 21. The clashes erupted after a rally in the nearby West Bank city of Ramallah in support of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' bid for statehood recognition in the United Nations.

24. SEPTEMBER 21: Undercover Israeli police and border police officers arrest Palestinian demonstrators during clashes with the Israeli military at the Qalandia checkpoint between the West Bank city of Ramallah and Jerusalem. Palestinians clashed with Israeli security forces in Qalandia Wednesday, as thousands of flag-waving Palestinians rallied in towns across the West Bank to show support for their president's bid to win U.N. recognition of a Palestinian state. (Tara Todras-Whitehill/Associated Press)

25. Reuters Pictures A mannequin decorated with a Palestinian flag is displayed at a shop window in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp in southern Lebanon, September 22, 2011. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas plans on Friday to submit an application for full U.N. membership for the state of Palestine based in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the coastal Gaza Strip -- lands occupied by Israel in 1967.

26. Reuters Pictures Lebanese and Palestinian people march in Beirut in support of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' bid for statehood recognition in the United Nations, September 22, 2011. Abbas plans on Friday to submit an application for full U.N. membership for the state of Palestine based in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the coastal Gaza Strip -- lands occupied by Israel in 1967. Flags pictured are: the Palestinian national flag (L) and the Palestinian and Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) flag.

27. AP Photo A Palestinian woman chants slogan during a rally supporting the Palestinian statehood bid in front of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO) offices in Gaza City, Thursday, Sept. 22, 2011. Dozens of Palestinian protesters on Thursday have denounced President Barack Obama for his opposition to a bid to win U.N. recognition of a state of Palestine in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem.

28. Demotix Images A large demonstration was held outside Downing Street calling on the United Nations to recognise Palestine Statehood. There was also a pro Israeli demonstration held nearby. London, UK. 21st September 2011

29. Getty Images French Jewish union for peace (UJFP) members hold a placard during a demonstration on the square in front of the Opera on September 21, 2011 in Paris, to support Palestinian bid to seek full United Nations membership as a Palestinian state. French President Nicolas Sarkozy called today on the United Nations to admit Palestine as a non-member state, upgrading its status as simple observer but opposing a Palestinian bid for full membership.

30. Getty Images People wave a giant Palestinian flag on the square in front of the Opera on September 21, 2011 in Paris, to support Palestinian bid to seek full United Nations membership as a Palestinian state. French President Nicolas Sarkozy called today on the United Nations to admit Palestine as a non-member state, upgrading its status as simple observer but opposing a Palestinian bid for full membership..

31. Reuters Pictures Belgian-Palestinian Zena and her sister Nadine (R), pose in front of a giant Palestinian flag during a protest in central Brussels September 21, 2011. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas plans on Friday to submit an application for full U.N. membership for the state of Palestine based in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the coastal Gaza Strip -- lands occupied by Israel in 1967.

32. Reuters Pictures A protesters flashes a victory sign during a rally outside the United Nations in Tunis September 21, 2011, in support of the Palestinian bid for statehood recognition in the U.N. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas plans on Friday to submit an application for full U.N. membership for the state of Palestine.

33. Demotix Images A large demonstration was held outside Downing Street calling on the United Nations to recognise Palestine Statehood. There was also a pro Israeli demonstration held nearby. London, UK. 21st September 2011

34. Demotix Images A large demonstration was held outside Downing Street calling on the United Nations to recognise Palestine Statehood. There was also a pro Israeli demonstration held nearby. London, UK. 21st September 2011

35. AP Photo Members of the radical ultra-Orthodox Jewish Neturei Karta anti-Zionist sect hold up signs as they take part in a rally in support of Palestinian bid for statehood recognition in the United Nations, in the West Bank city of Nablus, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011. Thousands of flag-waving Palestinians rallied Wednesday in towns across the West Bank to show support for their president's bid to win U.N. recognition of a Palestinian state. Sign in Arabic, second left, reads: "We ask for a Palestinian state for all of Palestine".

36. AP Photo Members of the radical ultra-Orthodox Jewish Neturei Karta anti-Zionist sect hold up signs as they take part in a rally in support of Palestinian bid for statehood recognition in the United Nations, in the West Bank city of Nablus, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011. Thousands of flag-waving Palestinians rallied Wednesday in towns across the West Bank to show support for their president's bid to win U.N. recognition of a Palestinian state. Sign in Arabic, second left, reads: "We ask for a Palestinian state for all of Palestine".

37. Demotix Images - Israeli supporters rallied in the capital to demonstrate against support for President Mahmoud Abbas who is expected to present a Palestinian request to become the 194th member of the UN. London, UK. 21st September 2011

38. Demotix Images Palestinians and supporters gathered opposite Downing Street to demand David Cameron recognises the state of Palestine. Almost 60% of the British public support the recognition of Palestine in the United Nations. London, UK. 21st September 2011

39. Demotix Images Palestinian supporters rallied in the capital demanding support for President Mahmoud Abbas who is expected to present the Palestinian request to become the 194th member of the UN. London, UK. 21st September 2011

40. Thousands of Palestinians attend in support the Palestinian bid for recognition of statehood at the United Nations in Ramallah, West Bank. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to submit a letter to the U.N. Security Council to petition for statehood during the UN General Assembly. (Photo by Uriel Sinai/Getty Images)

41. Palestinians attend a demonstration in support the Palestinian bid for recognition of statehood at the United Nations in Ramallah, West Bank. (Photo by Uriel Sinai/Getty Images)

42. Getty Images NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 23: Demonstrators rally in support of Palestine across from the United Nations in Dag Hammarskjold Plaza during the United Nations General Assembly on September 23, 2011 in New York City. The annual event, which is being dominated this year by the Palestinian's bid for full membership, gathers more than 100 heads of state and government for high level meetings on nuclear safety, regional conflicts, health and nutrition and environment issues. Getty Images Orthodox Jews, supporting Palestine as a state, join a celebratory protest under heavy rain, while Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas delivers a speech at the 66th UN General Assembly at the United Nations headquarters in New York, September 23, 2011.

43. Getty Images A Palestinian boy rides a bicycle decorated with a sign supporting the Palestinians' bid in the United Nations for statehood recognition, on September 23, 2011 in Gaza City. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas will present a formal request for UN membership for a Palestine state later today in a move which has sparked anger in Israel and opposition from Washington which has vowed to block the move at the UN Security Council.

44. Getty Images A Palestinian boy holds a coffee mug in Gaza City as part of the campaign promoting the Palestinians' bid at the United Nations for statehood recognition, on September 23, 2011. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas will present a formal request for UN membership for a Palestine state later today in a move which has sparked anger in Israel and opposition from Washington which has vowed to block the move at the UN Security Council.

45. Demotix Images Palestinian girls walk home after Friday prayers in Shati refugee camp. People are eagerly waiting for news from New York on Palestine's bid for statehood. Gaza City, Palestine. 23rd September 2011

46. AP Photo Israeli forces stand by during clashes with Palestinians at Qalandia checkpoint between Jerusalem and Ramallah, Friday, Sept. 23, 2011. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says he has asked the United Nations to admit the state of Palestine as a full member. The move defies U.S.-led international pressure on Abbas to abandon such a bid.

47. Darren Whiteside / Reuters - Palestinians hold a flag and throw a stone in front of a mural depicting the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat on the controversial Israeli barrier, during clashes with Israeli troops at Qalandiya checkpoint, near the West bank city of Ramallah on Sept. 23. Israeli security forces were on high alert after Friday prayers at a major Muslim mosque in Jerusalem and surrounding Palestinian districts given a deepening diplomatic deadlock over the Palestinians' application for U.N. membership.

48. Ronen Zvulun / Reuters Israeli police officers detain a Palestinian man suspected of throwing stones during clashes in the Arab east Jerusalem neighborhood of Ras al-Amud Sept. 23. Israeli security forces were on high alert after Friday prayers at a major Muslim mosque in Jerusalem and surrounding Palestinian districts given a deepening diplomatic deadlock over the Palestinians' application for U.N. membership.

49. Jaafar Ashtiyeh / AFP - Getty Images - Palestinians evacuate a man who was shot dead by Israeli troops on Sept. 23, in clashes which erupted after Jewish settlers attacked the Palestinian village of Qusra, south of Nablus. The man, 37-year-old Issam Badran, died after being hit in the neck by a live bullet fired by troops according to Palestinian hospital sources.

50. SEPTEMBER 23: Israeli border guards arrest a Palestinian stone thrower during clashes the the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Ras al-Amud. (Ahmad Gharabli/AFP/Getty Images