The Socialist International warmly welcomes the historic decision taken last night at the United Nations to grant Palestine non-member observer State status with an overwhelming 138 votes in favour, 9 against and 41 abstentions, and extends its sincere congratulations to President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian people on this momentous achievement.

The world clearly wants and needs a negotiated, peaceful two-State solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the SI fervently hopes that this decision will give fresh impetus to the process for peace and lead to an early resumption of dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians. We urge both sides to seize the moment and to engage seriously and quickly to build upon this historic step and make of it a catalyst for peace, for the sake of their own peoples, the region and the world.

The SI looks forward to the day when an independent Palestinian State will take its rightful place among the community of nations, living in peace alongside Israel, both within secure and mutually recognised borders.