Palestinian President Appeals Arab Nations For Financial Help

In this Friday, Nov. 16, 2012 file photo, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas speaks during a meeting of the Palestinian leadership at his compound in the West Bank city of Ramallah. The Palestinian president is urging Arab nations to provide major financial assistance to cover a new monthly $100 million budgetary shortfall after U.N. recognition of Palestinian claims to statehood the result of a punitive Israeli measure. The appeal by Abbas reflects the severe financial fallout from last month’s landmark vote in the U.N. and a fresh push by Palestinians to take advantage of the international momentum to rally Arab backing for peace talks and possible concessions by Israel. <AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed, File>