ISRAEL TO ABSTAIN ON KOSOVO ICJ RESOLUTION

C O N F I D E N T I A L TEL AVIV 002310 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/08/2018 TAGS: PREL UN UNGA KV IS SUBJECT: ISRAEL TO ABSTAIN ON KOSOVO ICJ RESOLUTION REF: A. STATE 105808 ¶B. STATE 105796 Classified By: Political Counselor Marc Sievers, Reason 1.4 (b) (d) ¶1. (C) Pol Couns raised reftel points with MFA Deputy Director General for Multilateral and UN Affairs (IO A/S-equivalent) Eviatar Manor October 8, stressing U.S. opposition to the Serbian resolution and requesting ISRAEL to vote no. Manor said the MFA had considered their position on this resolution carefully and, after weighing various considerations, had decided to abstain. Manor explained that because ISRAEL had been referred to the ICJ over the separation barrier, ISRAEL wanted to be very cautious and keep a low profile on ICJ-related issues. He also noted that Israel has not yet recognized Kosovo's independence. As a result, they settled on abstention as the safest position. ¶2. (C) Pol Couns pressed our view, noting that the vote is scheduled for today and urging ISRAEL to reconsider. Manor said he could not promise a change in Israel's position, especially given that the GOI is closed for Yom Kippur, but said he would phone the Israeli mission to the UN and brief them on our demarche. USUN may want to follow up with the Israeli mission directly. ********************************************* ******************** Visit Embassy Tel Aviv's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/telaviv You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website. ********************************************* ******************** CUNNINGHAM