JERUSALEM (AP) — An Israeli Cabinet minister says his government is making “every effort” to prevent the U.N. from voting in favor of Palestinian statehood.
Gilad Erdan tells The Associated Press that Israel is conducting a furious last-ditch campaign urging other governments to vote against the Palestinian statehood bid. Israel says independence can be reached only through negotiations.
The Palestinian initiative would be largely symbolic. The U.S. has already said it will wield its veto in the Security Council — the powerful body that must support full membership. Instead, the Palestinians are likely to apply for “nonmember state” status in the broader General Assembly.
Erdan acknowledged Monday the campaign is a long shot. He said the feeling during the expected U.N. approval will be “not good.”
