Palestine refuses Israeli objection of statehood

RAMALLAH - The Palestinian leadership refused Monday Israel's objection of using the words "State of Palestine" instead of Palestinian National Authority (PNA) after its status upgrade in the United Nations.

"Israel should abide by the UN resolutions," Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Ereekat told Xinhua.

Israel's opposition to the UN vote to grant the PNA a new status is a violation to the international legitimacy and its decisions.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree to use the new name on all official stamps including identity cards, driving licenses, official documents, passports and official letterheads.

It is the first official step taken toward statehood since the United Nations granted the Palestinians the status of a non-member observer state in November 2012.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday in a statement that his government refused Abbas' decisions, adding that a Palestinian state can only be born through a peace treaty with Israel.

Netanyahu added that this decision is a violation to the principles of the political process.