European Union delegates accepted Thursday a revised Middle East declaration proposed by South Africa, in a bid to prevent an EU walkout from a stormy UN racism conference in Durban.
But the Arab grouping at the UN World Conference against Racism is still examining the draft text and will respond later in the day, a Palestinian spokesman told AFP.
"We are in the process of studying the text and we will respond this afternoon," Herfi said earlier.
South Africa put forward the compromise wording early Thursday after talks on an initial text broke off during the night after discussions lasting all day Wednesday.
Efforts to reach a compromise Wednesday ended without results and the threat of a possible European Union withdrawal remained intact.
The European Union has rejected attempts by the Arab League to characterize Israeli practices in the West Bank and Gaza Strip as racist.
The United States and Israel withdrew their delegations from the conference on Monday because attempts to reach a compromise failed.
Arab leaders have said a declaration that does not criticize Israel would be meaningless.
"We still have hope, but unfortunately our partners from the EU group are not flexible," said Salman El Herfi, Palestinian Authority representative in South Africa.
Western media coverage of the dispute has focused nearly exclusively on the quarrels among delegates, without examining the factual basis for charges that Israel maintains apartheid-style practices - Albawaba.com
