So the veteran leader is dead and I remain pessimistic about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Regardless of who succeeds him, I don’t foresee a major improvement for the Palestinians in the occupied territories. A diplomatic solution endorsed by the international community should have taken place long time ago, with or without Arafat. May his soul rest in peace. [Here’s some interesting background on him.]
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Well, I’m not too optimistic either. I think Arafat for the Israelis was a convenient excuse. He was the sole reason for the unilateral withdrawal from Gaza. Now that he’s dead. Will the evil Sharon be able to hold on to his “plan”? I’m not sure. I think most Zionist Israelis would prefer to see the Palestinians destroy themselves in civil conflict.
The release of Barghouti would be the only way to clearly and cleanly unite the Palestinian street. He would be greeted as a hero and have the legitimacy to lead. If Israel wants and foresees the eventual formation of a two-state solution, they will release him because they know this, he would be a partner they could “deal” with and one most would regard as legitimate. If they don’t, I think they are hoping for civil war.
On another note, it’ll be a different world without Arafat “to kick around” (to quote Nixon). So often the focus of the conflic,t he was a truly fascinating guy. The wife said he looked like Santa Claus, as he flew out of the territories into Amman on onward. He did. He could be a tough SOB but I think he was genuinely likable. As they flew him out of there, he looked like this sweet old man. You had to feel for him, trapped in that compound for years, suffering these tremendous privations that were rarely spoken of but reported by those that went in and saw his headquarters, particularly after one of the several Israeli attacks of the compound. Notable, meanwhile, is Suha in Paris. I think, were I he, I would’ve gotten her out. But her lifestyle was sickening.
Now I’m watching with great interest a story bubbling along that Arafat was poisoned. If you read the above link, you’ll see why it is not only possible but befitting his history. I believe it entirely possible (and no, I’m not a conspiracy nut — in the ME, conspiracies often prove fact). This link pools together some ideas and these guys are a bit extreme, but with Abu Ammar anything was possible.
It’s to hard judge from the USA, but Arafat, like Martin Luther King was damned in the West because we so want to kill-the-messenger.
Let’s hope they release Marwan Barghouti, the only viable pragmatic leader with enough clout to lead the palestinian street.
I am more optimistic than you guys, every cloud has a silver lining, the Israelis have been stalling while using him as a scapegoat, let’s not give them anymore excuses.
I agree. I too don’t think there will be any change on the Palestinian/israeli front, it’ll be more of the same.