Israel has pledged to block along with the United States a renewed Palestinian drive for United Nations membership, a move that would grant international recognition for the Palestinian state.
“We are preparing to stop the initiative,” said Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon.
His statement came after Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki announced on Wednesday that during his visit to New York mid-January, he would file a request for UN membership.
Diplomats said that any attempt by Palestinians for full UN membership would be met by a US veto at the Security Council.
Decisions on the admission of new members are made by the General Assembly. But a request should be filed first at the Security Council.
The diplomats said that the Palestinian move comes as South Africa and Indonesia, which are staunch supporters for Palestinian rights, are gearing up to take over their non-permanent Security Council seats.
