Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was scheduled to begin addressing the United Nationsbibi un 2012 General Assembly in New York at 1:00 p.m. local time (7:00 p.m. Israel time), as the Middle East and the world appear to be heading toward a conflict involving Iran and Israel.

[UPDATE: Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is currently addressing the General Assembly. Prime Minister Netanyahu is to take the floor at 1:30 p.m. local time.]

Netanyahu wants the international community to spell out "red lines" in Iran's nuclear weapons program that will trigger a military strike on Iran, should Iran cross them. He may spell out these lines in his speech.

Watch the live webcast from the United Nations here.

The upcoming U.S. election, which is a close contest between incumbent Barack Obama and challenger Mitt Romney, adds a background of drama and uncertainty to the historic speech.

via israelnn.com
photo via Avi Ohayon / GPO / Flash90