Amman, Jordan ? Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Sunday he was rallying Arab nations to block Israel’s plan to unilaterally redraw its borders and instead support the U.S.-backed proposal envisioning a Palestinian state.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has proposed drawing a West Bank border if negotiations with the Palestinians fail. Arabs, including Palestinians, fear the plan would alienate Palestinian towns and increase hardship there – driving many to neighboring Arab states, including Jordan.

Olmert, however, assured King Abdullah II during a June 8 visit to Amman that he would seek a negotiated settlement with the Palestinians and meet soon with Abbas.

“We are working now and consolidating our contacts with Arab countries to distance Olmert’s plan from the table and solidify the ‘road map’ as a basis for negotiations and dialogue,” Abbas said after meeting Abdullah.

The so-called “road map” is a Mideast peace plan approved by the United States, United Nations, European Union and Russia – known as the Quartet. It calls for an end to Palestinian-Israeli violence and for an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.