Israel is concerned that it will soon face a wave of diplomatic pressure to agree to a timetable for establishing a Palestinian state.
The main worry is that the United States will give quiet backing to a French proposal that was presented to the United Nations Security Council three months ago and created with the help of the Palestinian Authority.
Another, similar proposal has been drafted by the government of New Zealand, which is now a member of the Security Council.
The proposals are the result of growing frustration within the international community over the stagnation of the diplomatic process and the perception that a probable right-wing Israeli government will do nothing to change the situation.
