Netanyahu Arrives in New York for U.N. Meetings

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in New York Wednesday to attend the U.N. General Assembly, overshadowed by a Palestinian bid to seek membership of the world body as a state.

"The prime minister has landed," an Israeli official waiting to greet him at the airport told Agence France Presse. Netanyahu was due to meet with U.S. President Barack Obama within hours to discuss the looming Palestinian showdown.

Both Israel and the United States have opposed plans by Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas to submit a formal bid to the world body on Friday to admit a Palestinian state as a full member.

"We believe the Palestinian bid at the U.N. is a mistake and it will not advance peace nor advance the establishment of a real Palestinian state," Netanyahu's spokesman, Mark Regev, told AFP as the Israeli delegation arrived.

"Unfortunately, the Palestinian drive at the UN could hurt the chances of reaching a negotiated solution between Israeli and the Palestinians.

"We hope the Palestinians change track and Prime Minister Netanyahu's offer to start this week in New York direct peace talk stands. He is ready to meet with Palestinian President Abbas."

Netanyahu was to meet with Obama around 11:00 am (15:00 GMT), while the Abbas will then hold talks with the Palestinian leader on Wednesday evening around 6:00pm (22:00 GMT).