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Israel Urges World Leaders to Press Palestinians to Walk Back Bid for International Court Probe
(Ha'aretz) Jonathan Lis - Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid wrote on Monday to more than 50 heads of state, calling on them to exert their influence over the Palestinian Authority to prevent the vote in the UN General Assembly to request an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He wrote: "This resolution is the outcome of a concerted effort to single out Israel, to discredit our legitimate security concerns, and to delegitimize our very existence." If "this resolution is brought to a vote in December, I hope and expect that your country will vote against it and voice your clear concerns regarding its dangerous ramifications. At times like this, we look to our friends to stand with us." Lapid explained that the status of disputed territory will be subject to direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, and that bringing the matter before the ICJ "contravenes the principle of direct negotiations accepted by Israel, the Palestinians and the international community." However, a senior Israeli official warned there is little chance of stopping the Palestinian move at the UN.