can only be realized between Israelis and Palestinians themselves . '' A year later , despite extensive U.S. efforts , `` the parties have not bridged their differences , '' Obama said . The American president met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and declared the bonds between their two countries `` unbreakable , '' a move likely to play well at home in an increasingly volatile U.S. political landscape . Though Netanyahu was not in attendance at the General Assembly during Obama 's speech , he called the U.S. position a `` badge of honor , '' and has pushed for a resumption of talks , beginning in New York and continuing in Ramallah and Jerusalem . Peace negotiations broke down last year . Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas met with Obama later Wednesday , part of a whirlwind of diplomatic wrangling that has accompanied his proposed move . Obama reiterated his stance on the need for a two-state solution , officials said . Abbas met earlier with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon , who promised the request would be taken `` very seriously , '' according to Nabeel Shaath , a senior negotiator for the Palestine Liberation Organization .
United Nations -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Confronted with the prospect of a Palestinian bid for full U.N. membership , U.S. President Barack Obama issued a sharp rebuke Wednesday to those pressing for statehood -- a rebuke likely to bring criticism from the Arab world . `` Peace will not come through statements and resolutions at the U.N. , '' Obama said , addressing delegates at the 66th annual session of U.N. General Assembly . `` If it were that easy , it would have been accomplished by now . '' The United States has vowed to block a Palestinian membership application should it reach the Security Council , but is likely eager to head off a scenario that would involve an American veto -- a move widely seen as unpopular across the Middle East . A formal request for full U.N. membership is expected to be submitted Friday . `` One year ago , I stood at this podium and called for an independent Palestine , '' Obama added . `` I believed then -- and I believe now -- that the Palestinian people deserve a state of their own . But what I also said is that genuine peace