BICOM

Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Ron Prosor said yesterday that he hoped that talks going on behind the scenes led by Quartet envoy Tony Blair would avert the Palestinian unilateral move for statehood in September. “Blair is making progress [in talks with the Palestinians],” he said. “[But] if by the definition of progress you mean success then he has not yet.”

Prosor added that Israel hoped the Palestinians would back down from their bid at the UN to seek recognition for statehood. Prosor said that the bid at the UN will be detrimental for both sides and urged the Palestinian Authority to resume direct talks. Prosor also said that the efforts of the Palestinians to become a new UN member will most likely fail due to the US veto power at the Security Council. “The United States has articulated their position that they would veto such a resolution at the Security Council so if that is the case there is no way the Palestinians will become a new member of the United Nations,” Prosor noted.

In related news, the Israeli security cabinet will meet today to discuss preparations for the Palestinian UN bid in September to seek statehood. Ministers in the meeting will be briefed on intelligence reports and IDF preparations for scenarios that may arise during the month of September in Palestinian areas in the West Bank and Gaza.