November 12, 2004
 

The death of Muhammad Abd al-Rahman Abd al-Raouf Arafat al-Qudua al-Husseini, aka Yasser Arafat, marks the end of an era in Middle-East politics. My fear is that the radical elements in Palestine, such as Hamas, are very likely to become more active and present themselves as being the natural leaders of Palestine. Palestinians have been used to a dynamic father-figure leading them for the last three decades. I doubt if they will find it easy under a less charismatic/vitriolic person who succeeds Arafat. Hamas offers its explanation for Arafat's death.

The Telegraph minces no words when it says that Arafat was unable to capitalize on diplomatic successes and deliver a viable Palestine state.
The NY Times editorial feels that the time is now ripe for the US and Israel to get on with the job and not offer any more excuses since their main gripe was Arafat.
The Washington Post also comments on similar lines that Arafat's death removes the single largest obstacle to Palestinian sovereignity primarily because Arafat refused to accept and acknowledge Israel's existence, which was obviously an irreversible issue.
The Guardian wonders if Arafat's successors can deal with a re-elected Bush to revive the peace process.

Rambled @ 6:51 PM

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