Israel FM sees "tough" reaction to Palestine vote

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said on Sunday there would be "tough repercussions" if the United Nations approved a Palestinian application for statehood.     Lieberman did not spell out what action Israel would take if the world body backed the application made on Friday by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the U.N. General Assembly.         

Israel's closest ally, the United States, has said it would block the resolution, which means a Palestinian state would fall short of achieving full U.N. membership.    

But Israel is concerned that, even if Washington vetoes the motion in the Security Council, it could still win more limited approval in the General Assembly, where any vote can pass by a simple majority.   

"Any unilateral step will without a doubt bring an Israeli reaction," Lieberman added.    

Israel has insisted Palestinians would only be able to win statehood through negotiations, and has said both sides would need to agree on border and security arrangements.     Lebanon's UN ambassador said the U.N. Security Council would meet on Monday to discuss Abbas's application.      

-Reuters