BICOM

Reports from Israel indicate that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering a relatively moderate response to the UN General Assembly resolution which is expected to change the status of the Palestinian delegation at the UN to non-member state on Thursday. Israel is firmly opposed to the Palestinian step, which it argues is a flagrant violation of the principle of a negotiated agreement. However, Yediot Ahronot reports this morning that Netanyahu favours withholding Israeli retaliatory measures to see if the Palestinian Authority uses the status to bring legal charges against Israel in international courts, in which case it would consider how to respond. Netanyahu is however, apparently being pressured by Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman to react strongly to the Palestinian measure by taking steps that would bring about the collapse of the PA. Reports from the US are that the move is increasingly being seen there also as a fait accompli. The Palestinians enjoy a near automatic majority in the General Assembly, due to support for Islamic and non-aligned states.

Israel is working hard to persuade European states not to support the bid, arguing that it will potentially undermine future negotiations, especially if the Palestinians go ahead with threats to challenge Israel in the International Criminal Court or International Court of Justice. Israeli Foreign Ministry officials assess that between 12 and 15 European countries could vote in, including Spain, Malta, Ireland, Portugal, Luxembourg, Sweden, Belgium and apparently France as well. William Hague has made clear that the UK does not support the Palestinian move, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is reportedly arguing within government for Britain to change its mind and support the move. The USA, Canada, Czech Republic and possibly Germany are expected to join Israel by voting no, although this will not stop Abu Mazan achieving a likely majority of 130 to 150 states.