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Volume 27, Issue 15, November 18, 2004

Opinion

Arafat’s death brings grief, hope

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Heather Wahle
Columnist

Yasser Arafat’s death on Thursday brought grief to Palestinians and international hope for democracy, peaceful leadership, and compromise with Israel.

Arafat, 75, died of multiple organ failure in a French military hospital on Nov. 10. Specific cause of death is still unknown, but his health was failing in recent months and he was in a coma for a week prior to his death.

Arafat was confined to his compound for over two years by Israelis, who blamed him for backing the wave of suicide bombings that have plagued the region for four years. He had only been released to the hospital when he suffered from severe muscle pains on Oct. 29.

The death of the leader of Palestine was mourned by over 20,000 people crowding the streets surrounding the Muqata compound prior to the burial. The Israeli army closed the West Bank entrance, Gaza strip, and four surrounding Arab countries, not allowing the Palestinians to travel to the funeral ceremonies. This restricted the crowds to mainly Ramallah residents and limited the participants from possible millions.

Citizens scaled the walls to Arafat’s compound and broke through the gates. Shots rang through the crowd as they all became increasingly restless while helicopters delivered Arafat’s concrete and marble casket. Plans to leave Arafat lying in this state until burial at sunset were abandoned due to riot fears. The coffin was passed through the crowds and when it disappeared briefly, the police shot above the people’s heads in warning.

What was planned as a dignified and solemn ceremony became chaotic and dangerous. Ambulances tried to treat the wounded and overwhelmed.

Many were distraught that Arafat could not be buried in Jerusalem, due to Israeli refusal. Soil from the site where they wished to lay Arafat to rest was placed on the casket, and with permission the casket can eventually be buried in Jerusalem after land negotiations.

Heads of state attended a military funeral for Yasser Arafat that was closed to the public and held in Cairo on Friday. The Palestinian Authority has called for a 40-day mourning period.

Israel and the United States have not been able to put genuine peace efforts in place because dealing with Arafat had become increasingly troublesome in recent years. The general consensus was that Arafat was a terrorist and had become an obstacle to peace.

Arafat spoke of how he didn’t strive for peace in 1969, “The end of Israel is the goal of our struggle, and it allows for neither compromise nor mediation … We don’t want peace. We want war; victory.”

This seemed to be the philosophy Arafat maintained throughout his years as a leader. His passion and fierce stance on not backing down at any cost was what made him popular with his people. Yet, regardless of being well-liked, Arafat did not progress in land and peace negotiations with Israel.

He withdrew from the compromise with Israel that would have allowed Palestine to gain a state and outlying sections of Jerusalem saying it wasn’t enough. Few know what would have been enough land for Arafat. The gain of land in Jerusalem was offered in trade for part of the West Bank, and Arafat’s refusal to surrender any land was ultimately what blocked further negotiations.

Israel relied on Arafat’s lack of compromise as the reason they were unable to settle their land dispute. With new leadership, Israel may be forced to acknowledge that Arafat’s lack of cooperation was one obstacle, not the whole problem. Israel must be diligent in negotiations and progress with the new government.

Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Queri said that Arafat’s death signals a time for peace negotiations to resume and proceed swiftly. On Saturday, just one day after the former leader’s burial, Qurei stated that peace is possible in a very short time.

Progress in peace between Palestine and Israel does not seem likely without the United States’ help, and Queri has requested that international efforts be made to resume Middle East peace talks.

Queri announced, “I’m saying to the American administration, to President Bush, to the Israelis, and to the whole world: now is the period where we should be more serious.”

President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair spoke on Friday from Washington saying they have hopes for renewed peace progress, but were not specific on any new plans to assist.

Qurei also asked for international assistance to ensure that occupied territories have the strongest voter registration possible in order to instate a new leader in Palestine.
Bush has spoken of the importance of democracy in Israel and the end of violence against Israelis. However, neither he nor Blair has addressed the fact that the lack of democracy is only one part of the problem.

While democracy is needed and would improve the situation, the heart of the problem is the land dispute. Democracy did not bring Jordan and Egypt peace with Israel, compromise brought peace. Israel did not pursue the claim to the West Bank and that resolved the situation with Jordan. Israel also returned land taken from Egypt, and that, again, resolved the conflict.

With serious commitment to a timetable, negotiations could be underway before a special election is held within 60 days. This may be the best course of action, considering the new leader could be as troublesome as Arafat had been in the past.

Many consider West Bank Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti to be the logical choice to follow Arafat’s leadership because he is the most popular among the people. Barghouti is currently serving five consecutive life sentences in an Israeli jail. His wife Fadwa says that he is considering a bid for the title from prison.

If democracy is brought forth and Palestine elects its next leader, it will just be the beginning. The newly elected leader would have to be moderate in negotiations and have realistic goals. It would also help the situation if a ceasefire were called for. The lack of attention to these details could undermine serious attempts for peace.

The actions of Palestine are crucial in negotiations but the possibility of conflict resolution is ultimately dependant on Israel’s decisions. Any hope of resolution relies on Israel’s willingness to compromise by ceding land.

Parliament speaker Rawhi Fattuh has assumed responsibility over the Palestine Authority in Arafat’s absence until a special election is held by Jan. 9.