President Obama flips sides on Palestinians

President Obama is warning the world, "There is no shortcut the end of a conflict that has endured for decades." His comments refer to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and were presented to the UN General Assembly.

NEW YORK, NY (Catholic Online) - President Obama pointed out that both side had, "legitimate aspirations" but in a thinly veiled message of opposition for Palestinian statehood, Obama called for direct negotiations between the two groups instead of statehood.

He still reinforced that he supported Palestinian statehood, but he also made an effort to placate Israelis and Americans who are concerned about Israeli security. 

Obama said, "Palestinians need to live in a sovereign state of their own. Their vision has been delayed for too long. That is why the US has spent time and money helping to build a Palestinian state." He subsequently added, "Yet America's commitment  to Israel's security is unshakeable and our friendship with it is enduring."

Obama later told the surprised Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, that the U.S. would veto any Security Council effort to recognize Palestine as a state. 

Meanwhile, French President, Nicolas Sarkozy took a different approach. He proposed a plan which included resumption of talks in one month, agreement on borders and security in six months, and a final agreement in one year's time. He also warned that a U.S. veto could trigger a cycle of violence in the Middle East. 

Still Abbas has indicated that he will press forward with his plan to request Palestinian statehood, even if the U.S. keeps its word to veto the bid. Abbas is taking the question to the Security Council after asserting that talks with Israel have gone nowhere and remain stalled. 

Today, Palestinians rallied in support of statehood throughout the region. Many expressed hope that Obama would support their bid. 

Most Palestinians see Obama as an ally and believed that he would support Abbas, recalling that he publicly supported the bid for Palestinian statehood one year ago.

However, Obama may be trying to backpedal as his ratings with Jewish voters collapse. Obama has been heavily criticized for his lackluster support of Israel and his avid support for Palestine. Some believe that Jewish voters sent Obama a very clear message when they elected a Republican representative to replace disgraced Democratic Representative Andy Weiner in what has traditionally been a very solid Democratic community in New York. 

Experts believe that the vote will be vetoed, but that Abbas may ask for what is known as "enhanced observer" status. It is the same kind of status granted to the Vatican. The U.S. cannot veto such a request and it would be a symbolic, if partial, victory for the Palestinians.

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