"Now we have a Palestinian state," Abbas said.

Abbas returned home in triumph but analysts say the boost was symbolic, and temporary.

Israeli analyst Shlomo Brom notes that most of Israel's allies either voted for the Palestinian resolution or abstained. "The important ramification is the strategic ramification, the fact that Israel is becoming isolated more and more from even those that traditionally are considered its allies."

Israelis also are worried about efforts in the West to impose boycotts and sanctions, and by the rising power of Islamists from popular uprisings in neighboring states.

Palestinian analyst Rami Nasrallah says the real problem is Israel refuses to stop building settlements in the West Bank even though it can never hope to dominate the Palestinians there. "That's the challenge when it comes to the Israeli public. They know how to face a security threat but they don't know how to face peace," noted Nasrallah.

The Israeli-Palestinian peace talks have been stalled for years. And there is little expectation on either side that they will resume in the coming year.