Approval ratings of Netanyahu, Abbas improve after UN meet

A Haaretz-Dialog poll, conducted under the supervision of Tel Aviv University, showed that 61-year-old Netanyahu's approval rating, which had plunged dramatically in the shadow of the social protest movements, made a rapid recovery two days after his UN appearance.

The Israeli Premier "significantly" improved his public standing after his speech last week at the United Nations.

"Netanyahu has once again proved that all he needs is a good speech to pick him up in the polls - another example is his speech in May in front of the US Congress," the daily reported today.

76-year-old Abbas is also experiencing an "unprecedented boost" in popularity after delivering a request earlier this week that the United Nations admit Palestine, which currently has observer status in the world body, as a full member state.

The Palestinian Authority President's address to the UN General Assembly, delivered shortly after he formally submitted the bid, was broadcast live on big screens set up in the centres of major West Bank cities.

Crowds cheered, waved flags, whistled and burst into patriotic slogans during the speech, which has earned Abbas rave reviews in the Palestinian media.

The commentators hailed his "brave" address and his "courage" in delivering the bid despite US and Israeli opposition.

"President Abu Mazen (Abbas) returns today and the masses have prepared to welcome him with a reception fit for the man who raised the voice of Palestine in the world's most important forum -- the United Nations," al-Quds newspaper wrote in its editorial.

"Abbas' return to the homeland today is a hero's return and a return that could stir the stagnant waters of the Middle East," it wrote.

For the Palestinian President, who could never come out of his predecessor Yasser Arafat's shadow before, this is an unexpected turn of events.

Buoyed by the popularity wave, he announced that "there will be no negotiations without international legitimacy and a complete halt to settlements," a position that put a halt to negotiations with Israel.