Delay on new Palestinian passports
2013-01-07 22:03
Ramallah - Palestinian officials say they will not rush
to issue new passports and ID cards with the emblem "State of
Palestine" to avoid confrontation with Israel.
Last week, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas decreed
that in official documents "State of Palestine" must replace
"Palestinian Authority", the name of his self-rule government.
His decision came after the UN General Assembly recognised
a state of Palestine in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem in late
November, overriding Israeli objections.
Israel says such a state can only be the result of negotiations.
On Monday, Palestinian officials said documents that need
to be presented to Israel, such as passports, would not be changed now.
Abbas aide Saeb Erekat says there's fear of travel
problems because Israel is unlikely to recognise passports with a new emblem.
- AP
