If the Palestinians force a vote before January 1, knowing they will not get the nine votes needed, then it is clear that they are interested in a defeat in order to avoid a US veto.
State Department says draft bid calling for Israeli withdrawal to pre-1967 lines ''sets arbitrary deadlines'' for reaching peace deal, doesn't meet Israel's security needs.
Senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said that a controversial Palestinian-led UN Security Council resolution would be submitted today with several amendments to the original version tabled earlier this month.
Israeli Foreign Minister and Yisrael Beitenu party leader Avigdor Lieberman slammed the police investigation against members of his party suspected of a raft of corruption charges.
