[quote="BBC"]The UN General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly to recognise Palestine as a non-member observer state - a move strongly opposed by Israel and the US.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said this was the "last chance to save the two-state solution" with Israel.
Israel's UN envoy said the bid pushed the peace process "backwards", while the US said the move was "unfortunate".
The Palestinians can now take part in UN debates and potentially join bodies like the International Criminal Court.
The assembly voted 138-9 in favour, with 41 nations abstaining.
Hundreds of Palestinians celebrated on the streets of Ramallah, in the West Bank after the result was announced.[/quote]
