Political forces reject NATO force idea
Palestinian political forces criticized the suggestion of acting PA head Mahmoud Abbas, that US-led forces of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) could be responsible for Palestinian security, while the Palestinian state will remain demilitarized.
Speaking to New York Times, Abbas said that following an agreement with Israel, NATO forces can stay "for a long time and wherever they want, not only on the eastern borders but also on the western borders, everywhere.”
Abbas added that the foreign troops will “reassure the Israelis, and protect us. We will be demilitarized.”
Hamas rejected this suggestion and its spokesperson, Sami Abu Zohri, described it as “violating Palestinian national rights while obfuscating Palestinians hopes.”
Zohre added that those ideas are personal ideas of Mr. Abbas and do not reflect a national consensus.
Dr. Hasan Khreisheh, the second deputy speaker of the Palestinian legislative council (PLC), also said the Palestinian people would not accept the idea of bringing international forces as a replacement for Israeli occupation forces in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Khreisheh is not affiliated to any political faction and holds views that are at times critical of both Fatah and Hamas. He formerly served as the governor of the Tulkarem region in the northern West Bank during the height of the Second Intifada.
"This proposal seems to have been addressed to the Zionists and the international community, on the grounds that Abbas realizes that the Zionists will not put their security in the hands of anyone. It is also a message to the Americans who are primarily concerned about the Zionists' security and submit to their demands," Khreisheh said.
Abbas suggestion was also criticized by Palestinian left-wing parties. The Palestinian Peoples Party (PPP) General Secretary, Bassam Salehi, stated that if there is need for the presence of international forces, those should be from the United Nation and not NATO.
Salehi added that that Abbas’ suggestions will undermine Palestinian sovereignty, warning against repeating the mistakes of the Oslo process in the 1990s, especially of signing a staged agreement.
Khaleda Jarrar, a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine politburo, agrees with Salehi that Abbas’ suggestion hampers Palestinian sovereignty. She also warns that the ongoing negotiations process is in a dangerous stage, “establishing a situation of never-ending negotiations as the occupation continues to expand settlements and to Judaize al-Quds ('Jerusalem') and the Al-Aqsa mosque.”
According to Jarrar, “it is the responsibility of the international community to implement United Nations resolutions, to ensure the rights of the Palestinian people and to protect the Palestinian people.”