Report: Israel Ministers Debate Palestinian U.N. Bid

Ministers in the Israeli security cabinet were meeting on Wednesday to discuss the possible scenarios in September when Palestinians try to secure U.N. membership, Israel's main radio stations said.

The meeting was called by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a bid to talk through assessments of how things would play out in New York when the General Assembly meets in mid-September, as well as looking at the expected wave of rallies and demonstrations of support across the Palestinian territories.

Ministers were also being updated by security officials about their preparations for the possible scenarios that could evolve in the Palestinian territories, public and army radio said.

A spokesman for the premier's office refused to comment on the reported meeting.

The Palestinians have said they will formally present their request for U.N. membership to United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon on September 20 when world leaders begin gathering in New York for the 66th meeting of the General Assembly.

The decision to seek U.N. membership comes after direct peace talks with Israel ran aground late last year in an intractable dispute over Jewish settlement construction on occupied Palestinian land.

Israel is implacably opposed to such a move, saying negotiations are the only way to resolve the conflict and establish a Palestinian state in a position which is backed by Washington.