President Barak Obama’s address to the United Nations General Assembly took many by surprise, and by most accounts, none more than Israeli leaders. While America has maintained its position, vowing to use its veto power in the Security Council to intercept any PA (Palestinian Authority) attempt at full membership in the United Nations, President Obama has been under immense pressure not to do so. Russia, the EU and other countries, allies of the United States, don’t share the White House’s compulsion to stand firmly at Israel’s side, but feel the PA has indeed earned the statehood bid.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu labeled the president’s 35-minute address “A badge of honor”, signaling the strained relations of yesteryear are a thing of the past as the two allies strengthen the bond that unites.

The president evoked the horrors of the Holocaust as he masterfully detailed Israel’s tenuous security position. Conspicuous was the lack of criticism of Israel regarding settlement construction, a sore point between the White House and the Netanyahu administration, put for now, that which unites seems to override the points of dispute.

France on the other hand adopted a different position, supporting observer status for Palestine, a move that is rejected by Israel and the United States, both insisting that any change in the status quo may only come as the result of bilateral talks between Israel and the PA. French President Nicolas Sarkozy was adamant however, stating that for sixty years, the PA has not moved an inch forward, and the time has come to do something, citing the merits of his plan.

For now, at least among many Israelis, the friction between the current administration and the White House is a thing of the past. Nevertheless, the Israeli left continues to lash out at the prime minister for not apologizing to Turkey and for not agreeing to PA demands towards jumpstarting stalled negotiations.

From the PA perspective, senior officials are unwilling to resume talks without preconditions, insisting that a return to the negotiating table will only occur following Israeli agreement to a withdrawal to pre-1967 borders and a total cessation of building in Yehuda and Shomron, which will serve as the new Palestinian state along with eastern Yerushalayim, which PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) views as his capital.

Needless to say, Abu Mazen and other PA officials were disheartened by the US president’s address, expressing a feeling of having been betrayed. On the other hand, the White perceives Abu Mazen’s stubborn determination as a slap in the face to the US after being such a staunch ally and supporter for so many years.

On the US election scene, the president’s unwavering support for Israel is a challenge to the Republican Party, which of late has been extremely critical of the White House, accusing the administration of abandoning America’s staunched ally in the Mideast.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)