The UN General Assembly delayed a vote on a resolution on the Israeli security barrier to let European Union members work out language to ensure passage by a wide vote.
The Palestinians had sought a vote yesterday in the 191-member assembly urging Israel to obey the July 9th court opinion that the security fence is illegal, should be abandoned and that Israel should pay compensation to Palestinians hurt by its construction.
But EU states were said to be seeking to include mention of Israel's right of self-defence against terrorism.
A European diplomat said EU members were also trying to broaden the assembly's resolution specifically to add mention of efforts to seek peace in the Middle East.
The assembly announced the vote delay at the request of Jordan, representing Arab nations. Jordan requested a vote for today on a revised resolution.
Like the opinion of the International Court of Justice, a General Assembly vote is not legally binding, but both have symbolic value as international statements of support.
Only the Security Council can order the barrier to be torn down or impose sanctions. But the United States - Israel's closest ally - would almost certainly veto any such resolution.
The Palestinians say the wall is a land grab because parts of it are being built on West Bank land Israel conquered in the 1967 Middle East war. Israel says the fence keeps out suicide bombers.