BICOM

US President Barack Obama, in a speech at the opening of the UN General Assembly yesterday, rejected the Palestinian bid for UN recognition of Palestinian statehood and urged the Palestinian Authority to return to peace negotiations with Israel. In the speech, Obama said that the Palestinians deserved a state of their own, but that this would only be achieved through negotiations, rather than ‘statements and resolutions’ at the UN. The US president reaffirmed America’s ‘unshakeable’ commitment to Israel’s security, and the ‘deep and enduring friendship’ between the US and Israel. Palestinian officials expressed anger and disappointment following the speech, accusing the US president of adopting a ‘pro-Israeli’ position. Members of the Israeli delegation quoted in the Israeli media, meanwhile, expressed satisfaction with the US speech.

Obama also made clear in a private meeting with PA President Mahmoud Abbas that the US would use its veto to prevent the United Nations Security Council from recognising a unilaterally declared Palestinian state. Obama met the PA President at the New Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York yesterday. US National Security Council Spokesman Ben Rhodes later confirmed that the US would use its veto if necessary in order to thwart the bid.

Earlier in the day, Obama met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Israeli PM thanked the US president for endorsing direct talks between the sides and opposing unilateral moves. He also rejected the possibility of an additional freeze on construction in settlements, noting that the previous 10-month freeze had failed to lead to a successful negotiating process, but rather had simply resulted in a Palestinian demand for a continued freeze.  

Further reading, BICOM spotlight: UN Vote on Palestinian statehood