Another Burr for Netanyahu's Saddle

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas has directed his government to start issuing passports, drivers licenses and ID cards bearing "State of Palestine" in place of  the current "Palestinian Authority."

Israeli officials declined comment, including whether Israel would prevent Palestinians with new ID cards and passports from crossing borders and checkpoints.

"Whether the changes are really implemented is unsure because of the political situation right now," said Al Jazeera's Jane Ferguson, reporting from Jerusalem. "But the move is to regain momentum after the UN vote."

In late November, Abbas won UN recognition of a state of Palestine in the occupied West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, overriding Israeli objections to the largely symbolic step.

The UN bid gave the Palestinians new diplomatic leverage by affirming the borders of a future state of Palestine in lands Israel captured in 1967, but changed little in the day-to-day lives of Palestinians.