U.N. diplomats say Israel has refused to let the U.N. Security Council visit territory that the Palestinians claim for a future independent state.

Last week, the council authorized its current president, Equitorial Guinea's U.N. Ambassador Anatolio Ndong Mba, to consult the Israeli and Palestinian ambassadors about a trip.

Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour responded that a council visit would be viewed "in the most positive way."

But Kuwait's U.N. Ambassador Mansour Al-Otaibi says Ndong Mba reported to the council Wednesday that "Israel categorically refused the council visit," though Ambassador Danny Danon said the government would welcome visits to Israel by individual ambassadors.

A council visit requires support from all 15 council members and approval by the countries concerned.

Al-Otaibi said he wants to continue consultations so "hopefully we reach a consensus."