This article was originally published by the Ma'an News Agency and is republished with permission.

US President Barack Obama speaks during a trilateral meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Waldorf Astoria in New York. (Omar Rashidi, Maan Images)

America rejects the legitimacy of Israel's settlement enterprise, US President Barack Obama insisted in his address to the UN General Assembly on Wednesday.

After first calling on Palestinians to end "incitement" against Israel, Obama reiterated that "America does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements."

He also acknowledged that his country too often fails to criticize Israel's policies toward Palestine. "The United States does Israel no favors when we fail to couple an unwavering commitment to its security with an insistence that Israel respect the legitimate claims and rights of the Palestinians."

The president's remarks came the same day an Israeli newspaper revealed that its defense minister, Ehud Barak, had recently okayed permits for 37 new housing units in an illegal West Bank settlement.

"I am not naive," he told the General Assembly. "I know this will be difficult. But all of us must decide whether we are serious about peace, or whether we only lend it lip-service."

Obama called on UN states to tone down criticism of Israel. "Nations within this body do the Palestinians no favors when they choose vitriolic attacks over a constructive willingness to recognize Israel's legitimacy."

"The time has come to re-launch negotiations without preconditions that address the permanent-status issues: security for Israelis and Palestinians; borders, refugees and Jerusalem," he said.

'End the occupation'

Hesitantly praising recent reforms by both the Israelis and Palestinians, Obama insisted that there was more work to be done, but applauded what he called America's aggressive efforts thus far.

"Upon taking office, I appointed a special envoy for Middle East Peace, and America has worked steadily and aggressively to advance the cause of two states - Israel and Palestine - in which peace and security take root, and the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians are respected," he said.

"The goal is clear: two states living side by side in peace and security," Obama said, reiterating his support for "a viable, independent Palestinian state with contiguous territory that ends the occupation that began in 1967, and realizes the potential of the Palestinian people."

He added, "I will not waver in my pursuit of peace."