Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected Palestine's bid to be recognized as an independent state by the United Nations. Netanyahu stated his stance shortly after Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, announced on Friday that he will push for a Palestinian state through the U.N. security council next week, marking his first public endorsement of a bid. Netanyahu accused Abbas of consistently ignoring talks and said the only way to achieve peace is through direct negotiations with Israel. U.S. press secretary Jay Carney echoed Netanyahu's sentiments.
