Labour Member of the Knesset Isaac Herzog suggested this week that Israel should offer to vote in favour of an independent Palestinian state at the UN this September, in exchange for starting talks over borders.

According to the Jerusalem Post, Mr Herzog told a Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee meeting: "The government's attitude is defeatist and unoriginal. First we should put forward an initiative that will close gaps with the US. Then, we should say 'yes' to a Palestinian state in the UN, and continue negotiating the next day."