With Israel increasingly isolated, what will Netanyahu tell the UN?

Worries over Israel's next moves after key Western nations recognise Palestinian state

- Jonathan Eyal Global Affairs Correspondent

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sept 26, when he is expected to outline his reaction to the move by key Western countries such as Australia, Britain and France to recognise Palestine as an independent state.

The fear throughout the Middle East is that Mr Netanyahu will retaliate against this recognition by announcing the formal annexation of occupied Palestinian lands.

US President Donald Trump has allegedly provided reassurances that he will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank, the Palestinian territory the Israelis have occupied for more than half a century.

However, apprehension about Israel's next moves persists throughout the Middle East.

Around 130 countries had already recognised Palestine as an independent state well before this year's UN General Assembly meeting.

Still, the diplomatic recognitions announced this week were particularly stinging to Israel, for they included key Western countries and previous stalwart supporters of Israel, such as Australia, Britain, Canada and France, as well as a clutch of smaller European states.

The State of Palestine is now recognised as a sovereign nation by 157 states, representing 81 per cent of the members of the UN.

Israel's isolation will be on full display on Sept 26 when the Israeli leader addresses the UN: By the time Mr Netanyahu takes the floor, most of the world's leaders would have already departed from New York.

Israeli opposition leaders and commentators are laying the blame for this growing isolation on Mr Netanyahu.