Washington (AFP) – President Barack Obama thanked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Monday for his “courage” in “good faith” negotiations with the Palestinians on final status issues.

“I commended him for entering into good faith negotiations with the Palestinian Authority. I appreciate the prime minister’s courage in being willing to step forward.”

The talks were relaunched in late July after Secretary of State John Kerry spent months shuttling back and forth to bring the two sides back to the table.

But few details have leaked after seven rounds of discussions, owing to Kerry’s call for a strict news blackout to avoid poisoning the atmosphere.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas warned the United Nations last week that the talks offered the “last chance” for peace.

Netanyahu is expected to make his own address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.