Netanyahu mulling UN speech
PM's Office reports Netanyahu considering attending, speaking at UN General Assembly session in September in which Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad plans to give speech. Sources say final decision highly depends on outcome of talks with US on settlements
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering heading an Israeli delegation to the opening of the United Nation's General Assembly session scheduled for September, which world leaders including US President Barack Obama and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are scheduled to attend.
The session will open on September 23, and the Prime Minister's Office has instructed the Foreign Ministry and Israel's delegation to the UN to prepare for the possibility of Netanyahu's arrival.
If he does attend, the prime minister will speak before the General Assembly and use the opportunity to promote his vision for regional peace and meet with Arab leaders.
So far, the list of confirmed attendants includes Jordan's King Abdullah, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, the leaders of Qatar, Lebanon and more.
Iran's president has also confirmed his attendance and will be speaking before the assembly.
The Prime Minister's Office said on Wednesday that Netanyahu was yet to make a final decision on whether or not he will attend, and that the matter also depends on the progress diplomatic talks with the United States.
If Israel reaches an understanding with the US on settlement construction by September, according to assessments, Netanyahu is more likely to head off to the UN assembly.
If the matter remains unresolved, on the other hand, Netanyahu may be met with harsh criticism from the UN and decide not to go.
As of yet the prime minister plans to attend the session with Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman.
President Shimon Peres has also expressed interest in attending the session.
