Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has assured the UN that a future Palestinian government of national unity will recognise Israel’s right to exist. Abbas is currently negotiating a unity government between his Fatah movement and the militant group Hamas. His statement to the General Assembly included a promise that the new administration when formed would renounce violence and honour any past agreements that the Palestinian Liberation Organisation and the National Authority had previously committed themselves to.

He went on to say that security and order would be restored, putting an end to the upsurge in multiple militias. But a call by Arab leaders and the UN Secretary- General urging the Security Council to get involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was blocked by Israel and the US.

Tel Aviv is insisting that any progress in the peace process must be based on the “road-map” plan and that the negotiations being conducted by the so-called Quartet, which includes the EU, are sufficient.

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