Israel’s response to the Palestinians’ new UN status is to deprive and humiliate which may maintain the status quo but will sabotage chances of long-term peace, writes Ian Buruma

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas stepped in directly today in an attempt to stop bloody clashes between his Fatah and the Islamic Hamas that threatens to engulf his people in civil war and provoke a harsh Israeli response.

Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh told the first meeting of the Cabinet today that the Palestinian treasury was empty, and the new government was struggling to find money to pay the salaries of thousands of workers.