Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State John Kerry met in Rome on Dec. 15, in an effort to formulate a joint position in response to planned moves by the Palestinians at the United Nations in the coming weeks.

Following the meeting, the big question still lingered: Would the Americans cast a veto over a potential Palestinian request that the United Nations’ Security Council recognize Palestine as an independent state? Netanyahu did not divulge to reporters who accompanied him on the plane whether he received an American guarantee for the sought-after veto. White House officials said the issue was still being debated.

On the night of Dec. 16, however, it became known that the decision has been made. The Americans will indeed cast a veto over the Palestinian request. This veto will be welcomed with satisfaction in Jerusalem. Surprisingly enough, Ramallah will also receive it with understanding.

The Palestinians have transferred to the US over the past few days secret messages, according to which they do not object to a veto. Why? Because President Mahmoud Abbas knows that the Palestinian bid to the UN, which contains the most extreme draft — a version unacceptable to both the US and Europe — is doomed to fail. Abbas would rather absorb the American veto. This will actually enable him to continue toward his alternative plan, meaning joining many other UN institutions. This alternative plan would permit Abbas to drag Israel to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, in the framework of the diplomatic battle he is waging against it. Such a setup will gain Abbas much esteem in the Palestinian street for ''going all the way'' against the UN, while at same time will allow him to accumulate achievements and pressure Israel.