Arafat has died

[ZiSunka]

How do you think Arafat's death will affect Israel?

[SumTinWong]

I just hope they are not out dancing, like the muslims have done on occasion.

[AJ]

Unfortuantely I think that things are about to get worse for Israel and Palestine.


After Arafat
by Barry Rubin


When Yasir Arafat became seriously ill in late 2003, Palestinians were near panic for several days. Officials did not know how to handle the crisis. Ahmad Dudin, former Fatah leader in the Hebron region, summed up the dilemma in this way: "The Palestinian Authority has always been a one-man operation. Arafat never really agreed to share power. That is the problem."[1] (http://www.meforum.org/article/606#_ftn1)

The problem is not just that Arafat has not designated a successor. It is that he has blocked the development of anybody who could be a successor. Equally, he has crippled the creation of institutions that could provide for a smooth transition, promote the development of a new leader, mediate disputes among competing candidates, or check the power of a future dictator.

Although Palestinian politics are often regarded as more pluralistic than those of neighboring Arab countries, they depend upon one man. A Palestinian official once said, "Egyptian politics is like the pyramid: President Husni Mubarak is at the top, and there's a very wide base. Syrian politics is like the Eiffel Tower: President Hafez al-Assad [today his son, Bashar] is at the top, and there are a few people on each level. Palestinian politics is the shape of Yasir Arafat: Yasir Arafat is Palestinian politics and that's all there is to it."[2] (http://www.meforum.org/article/606#_ftn2)

But at some point, Arafat will depart the scene. He is currently seventy-four years old, and while his ill health has often been exaggerated, he cannot be described as a healthy man. What will happen when a transition is forced on the Palestinian movement by his demise?

Speculating on the precise outcome is only of limited value. Much will depend on timing, detail, and even happenstance. It is more useful to ask what the succession dilemma itself reveals about the Palestinian movement, Arab politics, and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The best entry to that question is to focus not on who but rather what would replace Arafat.http://www.meforum.org/article/606

Many are speculating that the militant warlords will begin fighting with eachother for control of land in Palestine... Creating even more chaos... and making any hope of peace negotiations all the more difficult.

His Will.... will be done...

[aReformedPatriot]

it will definitly be fascinating to see how this pans out. I see the Muslims still want to bury him in Jerusalem some day. I personally think there will be more carnage as a result.

[InigoMontoya]

Personally, I think all will be well. Abbas, his PLO chairman successor was unaminously elected. Thats a good sign, so is Abbas being appointed.

How long he lasts will be another story, as dealing with many of the other organizations was the one of the pillars of strength that Arafat held.

On a side note, has anyone read Brother Andrews new book on his missionary work helping the body of Christ in Palestine? Its called Light Force, and is absolutely incredible! Its so awesome to see organizations like Hamas, Islamic Jihad, etc. being opened to the Lord!

[FranklinNoble]

Good riddance, I say. He was a thief and a terrorist.

[aReformedPatriot]

Good riddance, I say. He was a thief and a terrorist.
He definitly isnt singing this:

http://my.homewithgod.com/heavenlymidis/kids_glad.html

[loveall]

God be with him
God be with the victims
God be with those soon to be affected by this event
and God be with those who judge in His place

[PaladinGirl]

Hopefully things will get easier for Israel. As for what will truly happen, nobody really knows but God.