The year is 1947. Partition leads to the establishment of Israel.

Now Palestinians are looking for recognition. On the eve of a statehood bid at the UN Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas sat down with US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns

The United States is against the move, saying a future Palestinian state, has to come from direct negotiations with Israel.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) PALESTINIAN NEGOTIATOR SAEB EREKAT SAYING:

"Their position did not change. They conveyed a message today that we should not go to the U.N., that we will not realize the Palestinian state through the U.N. President Abbas told them that we differ."

Several European governments are eager to give their support for the bid. British foreign Minister William Hague says British support is conditional.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY, WILLIAM HAGUE, SAYING:

"In order to vote for it we would need certain assurances or amendments. The first is that the Palestinian Authority should indicate a clear commitment to return immediately to negotiations without preconditions. "

The resolution would change the Palestinian status a "non-member state," implicitly recognizing the sovereign state of Palestine.