United Nations (ANTARA News/AFP) - UN leader Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday urged Israel`s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to act with "restraint" and "wisdom" over the Palestinian bid for full UN membership, a spokesman said.

Israel has angrily rejected the Palestinian campaign, threatening unspecified diplomatic reprisals.

"The secretary general urged the prime minister to act with responsibility, wisdom and restraint towards the Palestinian approach to the United Nations," said UN spokesman Martin Nesirky.

Ban "emphasized the need for historic decisions on both sides at this critical moment," the spokesman added.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas has said he will make an application for full Palestinian membership of the UN on Friday. The United States has threatened to veto any bid before the UN Security Council, insisting that only direct talks with Israel can establish a Palestinian state.

"The secretary general reiterated his support for a Palestinian state, living side by side in peace with a secure Israel," said Nesirky.

"He reiterated his belief that negotiations were the only path for a sustainable resolution of all final status issues."

Ban met with Abbas on Monday to discuss the Palestinian campaign. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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