President Barack Obama has pledged new U.S. support for the Palestinians. After meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the White House on Wednesday, Obama called the situation in Gaza "unsustainable." But he says he will work with Israel and the Palestinians to find a solution.

Israel's deadly raid on a convoy of ships headed for Gaza dominated much of the White House meeting. However, Obama pledged an additional $400 million in U.S. aid to Palestinians.

Michael Oren, the Israeli ambassador to the United States, supported the talks.

"We are open to any suggestions that would help us to reconcile the need to address the civil needs of Palestinian population in Gaza with Israel's very real security needs," Oren said.

For President Obama, the answer remains a two-state solution in the Middle East.

"I said when I took office this was an issue that I care deeply about and that I'm willing to spend a lot of time and energy and political capital on," Obama said. "That commitment has not wavered."

But political observers say when it comes to Israel, his position may be a bit one-sided.

"He faces a problem that is political, but that is also religious," Dr. Charles Dunn, Regent University School of Government dean, told CBN News. "For an evangelical Christian it is a critical problem, because they view the mideast not just through the lense of politics, but also through the lense of Bible prophesy. The president only views the mideast through the lense of politics."

Critics say Obama may actually view America's long bond with Israel as a burden.

"Where has President Obama traveled in the mideast," Dunn asked. "He has not traveled to Israel. But he has traveled to several mideast countries that are Muslim. So he has softened support for Israel. That is dangerous, because the Jewish people are the apple of God's eyes as recorded several times in scripture."

After the meeting with Obama, Abbas said it a "positive sign" that the U.S. cares about Palestinians.