World | Mahmoud Abbas Abbas Returns, Hailed as Hero Palestinians elated over UN's recognition; Israel seethes By Polly Davis Doig Posted Dec 2, 2012 9:30 AM CST Copied Palestinians wave flags and pictures of Mahmoud Abbas as they celebrate their successful bid to win UN statehood recognition in Ramallah, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed) Mahmoud Abbas returned home today to something of a rock star's welcome: Cheering crowds chanting his name and waving Palestinian flags greeted the president, who is fresh off his successful bid to have the United Nations recognize Palestine, reports al-Jazeera. "Yes, now we have a state," Abbas told crowds assembled in the West Bank. "The world has said loudly, `Yes, to the state of Palestine.'" It's not all roses for Abbas, however: Israel announced plans for 3,000 new settlement homes mere hours after the UN vote. And the AP notes that it's following through on its threat to withhold some $100 million of revenue it collects each month on behalf of the Palestinian Authority, which Israel says owes $200 million to the Israel Electric Corporation. Read These Next Her blood isn't compatible with anyone else's. Some of the most explosive Diddy allegations are dropped. Fan who taunted Ketel Marte's mom has been banned by MLB. NJ lifeguard survives after being impaled by an umbrella. Report an error