Abbas proposes US-led NATO force in Palestinian state

In a New York Times interview, Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas proposed that a US-led NATO force patrol a future Palestinian state indefinitely throughout the territory, at all crossings and in Jerusalem. Israeli soldiers could remain in the West Bank for up to five years and Jewish settlers phased out along a similar timetable. Palestinian will be demilitarized, he said.  Israel has summarily rejected any plan to rely for its security on any but its own military. On recognition of Israel as a Jewish state, which for the Netanyahu government is a sine qua non for an accord, Abbas said, “This is out of the question.”