A group of men from Jenin revealed on August 29 showed their own support for the PLO bid for statehood in September in the form of a chair. The 35 men created a powdery blue chair to match with the UN colors with the word Palestine embossed on it. The seat is made entirely from local products, including cloth from Nablus which was weaved in Hebron and two keys, symbolizing the refugee right to return, which were sent from Jerusalem. The chair – created to fit into a suitcase – is to make its way around the world, including to Security Council member states Russia, France, the UK and the EU’s permanent headquarters in Belgium before it arrives in New York in time for the Palestinians’ September 20 bid.

At the diplomatic level, the battle is still on even before the Palestinians reach the UN headquarters in New York. On September 2, the Palestinian Authority rejected a French suggestion that Palestine should assume an observer status at the UN similar to that of the Vatican. Palestinians say they insist on full membership and have the support of the majority of countries in the General Assembly.

Also on the September 2, several European Union foreign ministers meeting in Poland said the EU must speak in a single voice regarding the Palestinians’ UN bid. “For all those who really seek a Middle East solution, it’s clear that it’s crucial for the European Union to have a united position,” said Belgian Foreign Minister Steven Vanackere.

France’s Alain Juppe agreed that a unified stance was required but warned the Palestinians against going to the UN, which he said could “lead to a serious diplomatic crisis.” It is still unclear if the EU will vote as one voice or as individual countries at the UN.

Israel, meanwhile is upping its opposition and rhetoric against the move. On August 31, Israeli finance minister Yuval Steinitz told Israel radio that the Palestinian campaign to secure full UN membership is more dangerous than Hamas.

Steinitz said, "This Palestinian initiative represents a more serious threat than that posed by Hamas,” adding that, “If the Palestinians make good on their plans to seek United Nations membership, Israel would respond.” Media reports have already spoken about the ministry withholding Palestinian tax revenues.

The UN has been in the news on another subject this week as well. On September 2, the UN report on the May 2010 Gaza Flotilla was released and brought with it a raging diplomatic storm.

The report, which was leaked a day before by the New York Times, found that the naval blockade on the Gaza Strip was legal but that Israeli commandos “used excessive force” on the Mavi Marmara, which resulted in nine Turkish deaths.

The report’s investigation, led by former New Zealand Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer recommends that Israel provide Turkey with "an appropriate statement of regret" and pay compensation for deaths and injuries.

Israel is not having it, saying it will not apologize for what it says was an act of self defense. Israeli officials say the report does not demand an apology per se and so none will be given.

Turkey, in response, expelled its Israeli ambassador, cut military ties with Israel and says it will take additional steps if Israel does not apologize. Speaking to reporters in Istanbul on September 2, Turkish President Abdullah Ghul said Israel apparently "did not understand how determined Turkey was to show it has not forgotten the events of the past." He said Turkey would always defend its citizens' rights, warning Israel that the steps his country took were just part of the first phase. On September 3, media reports also quoted a Turkish official saying the Turkish navy would strengthen its presence in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. "The eastern Mediterranean will no longer be a place where Israeli naval forces can freely exercise their bullying practices against civilian vessels," the official was quoted as saying.

On September 3, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon tried to smooth out the diplomatic row, urging Turkey and Israel to “mend their relationship for the good of the Middle East peace process”.

On the ground, Palestinians and Israelis were met with violence this week, which also marks the end of Ramadan and the Eid Al Fitr holiday for Muslims. On September 2, armed Jewish settlers attacked the West Bank village of Jalud, south of Nablus, demanding that villagers leave their homes. According to the villagers, the settlers attacked their homes heavily armed and ordered them to leave their land, something that has happened to this tiny village of 300 before. The village abuts two illegal settlement outposts, Ahiya and Kida, whose settlers constantly threaten the villagers with violence and expulsion.

On September 2, the Israeli Supreme Court rejected a bid by settlers who are trying to overturn a verdict to have them evicted from a building in Silwan. A local court ordered the settlers evicted from the building after it found it built illegally. The settlers have since refused to leave despite several court orders against them. The building is in the heart of Silwan, a Palestinian quarter of east Jerusalem.

Finally, on August 29, eight Israelis were wounded, one seriously when a Palestinian man from Nablus stole a taxicab in Tel Aviv and rammed into a group of border guards outside a nightclub. According to Israeli police, the man then got out of the car and attacked the guards with a knife. The police also say the taxi driver was lightly wounded in the hand when the man dragged him out of his car. The man, identified as Mohammed Saafan, was later taken into custody.