US President Barack Obama makes a last-ditch attempt to head off the Palestinians’ bid for statehood at the United Nations, saying there is “no short cut” to solving the decades-long conflict.
Addressing world leaders at the opening of a UN General Assembly session, Obama urged Israelis and Palestinians to break the deadlock and return to negotiations.
“I know that many are frustrated by the lack of progress. So am I. But there is no short cut to the end of a conflict that has endured for decades.
“Peace is hard work. Peace will not come through statements and resolutions at the United Nations,” President Obama said.
His address came as thousands of Palestinians staged demonstrations in Ramallah and the West Bank in support of a Palestinian state.
The US president is holding separate talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on the UN sidelines.
He says face-to-face negotiations are crucial to working towards peace.
There is no short cut to the end of a conflict that has endured for decades. Peace is hard work. President Barack Obama
“Ultimately, it is Israelis and Palestinians who must live side by side. It is Israelis and Palestinians – not us – who must reach agreement on the issues that divide them: on borders and security, on refugees and Jerusalem.
“Peace depends upon compromise among peoples who must live together long after our speeches are over, and our votes have been counted.”
Mahmoud Abbas is set to launch Palestine’s bid for statehood on Friday with a written request to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
If his request is approved, the security council will vote on it. But it must get the votes of nine out of 15 council members to go ahead, with no vetoes from the permanent members. The United States – one of five permanent members – has repeatedly pledged to veto the request.
“America’s commitment to Israel’s security is unshakeable, and our friendship with Israel is deep and enduring. And so we believe that any lasting peace must acknowledge the very real security concerns that Israel faces every single day.”
If the Palestinian bid at the security council fails, Palestine could be granted enhanced observer status, which has been granted to others including the Vatican.
Palestinians say their bid for statehood has been inspired by the Arab uprisings and is the result of years of failed peace talks with Israel.
While President Obama offered no new solutions to reaching Israeli-Palestinian peace, he praised the change across the Middle East as protesters led the Arab spring.
“Something is happening in our world. The way things have been is not the way they will be. The humiliating grip of corruption and tyranny is being prised open.”
“The Gaddafi regime is over. Gbagbo, Ben Ali and Mubarak are no longer in power.”
French President Nicolas Sarkozy warned that a veto of Palestinian statehood ambitions could spark violence.
He conceded that full UN membership for the Palestinians would “take time” but he urged both parties to show “compromise and empathy”.
“Listen to what people of the Arab Spring are saying- Long live freedom. They are not saying death to Israel.
“The time has come to build peace for the children of Palestine and Israel.”