RAMALLAH, September 17, 2011 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas’ address to the Palestinian people on the eve of his departure to New York Friday night to attend the United Nations General Assembly meetings dominated Saturday’s issue of the Palestinian Arabic dailies.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida, al-Quds and al-Ayyam’s main headlines quoted Abbas saying, “We are going to the Security Council.” The newspapers reported that Abbas will submit the application for membership of the state of Palestine to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to pass it on to the president of the Security Council after he finishes his speech at the General Assembly next Friday.

Abbas stressed the importance of the internal Palestinian reconciliation and called to keep all public demonstrations and activities non-violent and not to be drawn into a violent response to the Jewish settlers’ escalated attacks.

The dailies’ also reported on their front pages US and Israeli opposition to the Palestinian bid to the UN.

Al-Ayyam highlighted on its front page Israeli military reinforcements in the West Bank in anticipation of demonstrations supporting the Palestinian bid to UN later this month. The paper reported on several Israeli army techniques to disperse demonstrations, including the purchase of 50 tons of foul water and stink bombs.

Al-Quds highlighted the Israeli army attacks on the weekly non-violent demonstrations against the Wall and settlements across the West Bank, where dozens of Palestinians and international activists suffered from suffocation of tear gas.

Chief editor in al-Hayat al-Jadida, Hafez Barghouthi, supported Abbas’ announcement to head to the Security Council and reiterated the Palestinian and Arab public support to the bid to UN.

R.Q./M.S.