Wednesday, July 6, the Palestinian Authority notified the Obama administration that early next week it would file a request with the UN Security Council for admission to the UN as a full member recognized as an independent state within the 1967 borders. But debkafile reports the US got in first, having agreed with European powers and Russia to have the request put on ice by the Security Council consenting to discuss it behind closed doors - without setting a date.

Both Washington and Jerusalem have been holding out for written commitments focusing on a 90-day moratorium on settlement building. Neither document will be forthcoming as misunderstandings grow into resentment.

Palestinian leaders Mahmoud Abbas and Salam Fayad are planning to apply for UN trusteeship over future state territory - anything rather than negotiating an accommodation on borders and other issues with Israel.

Israeli Military Intelligence Research Director Brig. Gen. Yossi Baidatz warned Tuesday, the day before proximity peace talks are launched by US envoy George Mitchell, "We do not recognize in Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas a true attempt to be flexible on the core issues." He will stall and then blame Israel.

The MI officer also told a Knesset panel the long-range solid-fuel rockets Syria has transferred to Hizballah can be launched from deep inside Lebanon.