The Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, said the vote "represents support for freedom and justice".

For Mahmoud Abbas, the new Palestinian president, the honeymoon was over before the wedding had even started.

The Palestinian president threatened to take "new measures" against Israel if meeting fails.

Israel's prime minister called the strike a mistake and offered to meet the Palestinian president to ease tensions.

I was playing Peacemaker, a video game in which players assume the role of either the Israeli prime minister or the Palestinian president.

Nonetheless, last week the security cabinet announced a decision in principle to have the Palestinian president "removed," which presumably means sent into exile.

In theory, the Palestinian president is to share responsibility for the security forces with the prime minister and his cabinet.

And he urged Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, to meet with him immediately.

It was the first time since January 2001, he said, that an Israeli prime minister and a Palestinian president had addressed fundamental issues.

Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, may push for a vote if he can muster nine supporters on the 15-strong security council.