MPs meet with Israeli counterparts, including Christian Allies Caucus chairman MK Robert Ilatov (Yisrael Beytenu), deputy chairman MK Yoel Hasson (Zionist Union) and MK Anat Berko (Likud).

Germany will also likely absorb a number of Palestinians as part of its relaxed immigration policies.

Russia cautioned the United States to clear Syrian airspace ahead of the strikes, the US official said, adding, however, that the US-led coalition was "continuing to fly missions in Syria."

Raising the Palestinian flag at the UN is a symbolic gesture. The UN has not accepted Palestine as a member state.

Abbas did not announce his resignation or the dismantlement of the Palestinian Authority, as many predicted he would do.

The Egyptian leader also spoke extensively about terrorism in his address, saying “counterterrorism efforts so far have relied solely on defensive reaction, focusing on defending the present.”

Princeton history professor Marina Rustow’s work shedding new light on Jewish life in the medieval Middle East recognized by MacArthur Foundation.

The Labor leader looked in shock after the outburst was made which followed a speech on the importance of the two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.