The idea of Palestine becoming a permanent member of the United Nations originated, say Palestinians, with none other than U.S. President Barack Obama.
Speaking at the U.N. General Assembly on Sept. 23, 2010, Obama said he hoped that "when we come back here next year, we can have an agreement that will lead to a new member of the United Nations — an independent, sovereign state of Palestine, living in peace with Israel." Palestinians decided to take Obama at his word.
Obama's efforts to rekindle the Middle East peace process began with Israel's refusal to carry out a temporary settlement freeze. The United States was even willing to offer a $3 billion arms deal to Israel in return for the suspension of building Jewish-only settlements in areas earmarked for the Palestinian state. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the U.S. offer.
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