ATEF SAFADI/EPA

The UN upgraded Palestine to nonmember observer state status, tacitly acknowledging Palestine as a state.

ATEF SAFADI/EPA

Palestinians watched on a screen as Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas spoke at the UN.

ATEF SAFADI/EPA

Palestinians waved their national flags as they celebrated.

Adel Hana/AP

The UN voted 138-9 with 41 abstentions to upgrade Palestine's status.

Jason DeCrow/AP Images for Avaaz

Abbas, center right, was embraced by the Turkish foreign minister after the vote.

Majdi Mohammed/AP

Palestinians waved posters of former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, left, and President Abbas, right.