From VOA Learning English,this is IN THE NEWS in Special English.This week, the United Nations General Assemblyvoted to recognize the Palestinian Authorityas a "non-member observer state."The vote came a year after the General Assemblydenied the Palestinian Authority full membership.There was excitement at the UN's headquartersin New York on Thursday as the voting came to an end."The voting has been completed.Please lock the machines...(applause)."One hundred thirty-eight UN members voted for the resolution.Nine nations were opposed.Forty-one others chose not to vote.Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbasspoke to the assembly before the vote.He said the Palestinian people would not accept anythingless than an independent Palestine,with East Jerusalem as its capital."We did not come here seekingto delegitimize a state established years ago,and that is Israel.Rather we came to affirm the legitimacy of a statethat must now achieve its independence, and that is Palestine."He added that supporters of the resolutionare showing what he called their "principledand moral support for freedom and the rights of peoplesand international law and peace."The United States, Israeland seven other countries opposed the measure.American Ambassador Susan Rice spoke after the vote."Today's grand pronouncements will soon fade.And the Palestinian people will wake up tomorrowand find that little about their lives has changed,save that the prospects of a durable peace have only receded."The Israeli government denounced the UN decision.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahudismissed the assembly vote as meaningless.Israel's UN ambassador, Ron Prosor,said the new status will not help the peace process.Yet some Palestinians saythey hope the move will lead to new peace talksbetween the Palestinian Authority and Israel.Talks between the two sides were last heldin September of twenty ten.The negotiations stopped when Israel refused to extend its banon new settlement activity in occupied Palestinian territory.Being a non-member observer state gives the Palestinian Authoritythe right to seek the help of United Nations agencies.For example, the Palestinian Authoritycould ask the International Criminal Courtto investigate Israeli actions in Palestinian territories.There was great celebration in the West Bank and Gaza Stripafter the General Assembly vote.Palestinians cheered, saying the vote added supportto their claim of statehood.However, the cheers could soon disappearif critics of the resolution take new economicor political action against the Palestinians.On Thursday, some American Senators threatenedto halt aid to the UN if the Palestinian Authorityuses its non-member status to bring casesagainst Israel to the International Criminal Court.Separately, Israel could hold back tax money it collectsand passes along to the Palestinian Authority.Israel could also decide to expand Jewish settlements in Arab areas.Go to 51voa.com for more...