French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius's visit to the Middle East on Sunday raised the prospect that the Obama administration may not veto a resolution France plans to bring to the UN Security Council on setting a timetable for the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Before meeting Mr Fabius in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised "international proposals that do not truly address Israel's security needs". He added: "We are being pushed into borders that are indefensible."

While Israel has not officially responded to the French proposal, Mr Netanyahu said that "we will reject international dictates".

Mr Fabius also visited Ramallah and Amman to discuss the French proposal, which recommends a return to direct Israel-Palestinian talks and the convening of an international conference with the five permanent members of the Security Council along with representatives of the Arab League.

"In the past, the French used to discuss these things with us in advance," complained an Israeli diplomat. "Now they are discussing us with others."

Israel is in a delicate position with the French government because it relies on Mr Fabius to continue being a tough negotiator at the P5+1 talks on the Iranian nuclear deal. Mr Netanyahu's clear rejection of the French proposal could be a sign that Israel is resigned to a deal with Iran being signed in the near future.