"We are preparing for the worst," said an officer in the IDF's Central Command this week, "but we honestly do not believe that there will be an escalation this month."

Tens of thousands of soldiers and police officers have undergone special training for dealing with mass non-violent demonstrations over the past three months and the army and police have stockpiled £13m worth of new riot-control

As matters stand, the Palestinian bid for recognition at the United Nations later this month is likely to have little immediate effect on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Of course, on this issue matters do not "stand" but rather are very dynamic. Hence the following must be taken as an attempt to assess this fast-moving issue as of today - not tomorrow, and not next week.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is due to deliver a speech today in which he is expected to announce the Palestinian Authority's finalintentions regarding the UN General Assembly at the end of the month.

Mr Abbas has been under intense diplomatic pressure from all sides in recent days over his decision.

Britain will not take part in the anniversary event later this month marking ten years since the UN's controversial Durban conference.

The Prime Minister, following in the footsteps of Australia, Canada and the United States, said he felt it would be wrong to commemorate an event associated with "open displays of unpleasant and deplorable antisemitism".

The former Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has called on MPs to support Palestinian plans for a unilateral statehood bid at the UN.

The British government has not confirmed whether it will support the Palestinians if a vote goes ahead, although the US has already vowed not to back the move.

David Cameron has intervened to pull Britain out of the follow-up to the controversial Durban conference.

The Prime Minister is understood to have personally made the decision that the UK should not take part in the event at the United Nations headquarters later this month.

The relationship between Israel and Turkey hit rock bottom this week when the government in Ankara downgraded diplomatic ties and cancelled all commercial and military agreements between the two countries.

One of the world's leading public relations firms has reportedly been hired by the PLO ahead of the planned bid for statehood at the UN.

According to PR news source the Holmes Report, the US branch of the PLO contacted representatives from the firm Bell Pottinger USA.