President Obama delivered a speech before the United Nations General Assembly that focused on his rejection of the Palestinian effort for recognition. In his remarks, President Obama claimed to support a Palestinian state, even as he sought to convince international diplomats to reject one.

President Obama: “We seek a future where Palestinians live in a sovereign state of their own, with no limit to what they can achieve. There is no question that the Palestinians have seen that vision delayed for too long. It is precisely because we believe so strongly in the aspirations of the Palestinian people that America has invested so much time and so much effort in the building of a Palestinian state, and the negotiations that can deliver a Palestinian state.”

President Obama went on to suggest that refusing to recognize Palestinian rights is justified because of Israel’s security needs. But in a glaring omission, Obama made no mention of Palestinian security nor of Israel’s torture and killing of tens of thousands of people in the Occupied Territories and Lebanon.

President Obama: “America’s commitment to Israel’s security is unshakable. 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. Let us be honest with ourselves: Israel is surrounded by neighbors that have waged repeated wars against it. Israel’s citizens have been killed by rockets fired at their houses and suicide bombs on their buses.”

Obama also made no mention of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, a retreat from his previous statements that settlement expansion is “illegitimate.” Palestinians say they are undeterred and are vowing to continue with their bid for officially recognized statehood.